Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

640.6031/10–3149: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

secret

Paris, October 21, 1949—6 p. m.

4401. Pass ECA.

1. In informal conversation with Foreign Office officials, Embassy representative took occasion to express hope that French would continue withhold tankers from Soviets in future trade negotiations (Deptel 4005, October 18¹). French replied to the effect that this would be pointless since Holland was now working on orders for nine ships and Denmark had orders for some 20. Moreover, neither Britain nor Norway had embargoed tankers (see page 4 to enclosure 1 of Embdes 914, October 18²).

2. French also alluded to industrial diamond situation, pointing out that Dutch had refused to take prohibitory measures owing profitability this trade with Soviets. Embassy further informed by private sources that British Government permitting shipment industrial stones to Soviets; that Mr. Lee of Board of Trade had stated that only crushable material could be considered strategic.

3. In accordance Deptel 4005, Embassy making written presentation to Foreign Office re “oil well equipment” supplementing Embassy’s previous oral explanation made late September.³

Bruce

1. In telegram 3617, September 26, to Paris, not printed, the Department of State and EOA informed Ambassador Harriman that the recent licensing of rock drilling equipment and oil drilling rigs of an impractical Russian design did not represent any modification of American trade control policy (661.119/9–2649). This information was also given to the French Embassy in Washington. Telegram 4349, October 18, from Paris, not printed, stated that Alphand was highly critical of the American export of oil drilling equipment to the Soviet Union, was not satisfied with the American explanation of that export, and indicated that the French would go forward with the sale of tankers to the Soviet Union (640.6031/10–1849). Telegram 4005, October 19, to Paris, not printed, under reference here, instructed the Embassy to reiterate carefully to Alphand the facts concerning the licensing of American-made oil drilling equipment to the Soviet Union and to redouble efforts to persuade France not to sell tankers to the Soviet Union (640.6031/10–1849).
2. Not printed, but see footnote 2 to telegram Repto 6884, October 15, p. 151.
3. A copy of the Embassy’s letter of October 24 to Alphand was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to despatch 930, October 24, from Paris, neither printed (661.119/10–2449).