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

840.20/11–249: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret

Washington, November 2, 1949—9 p. m.

4202. Pass Harriman. Question of treating export-control in NAT framework raised yesterday with British, French, Canadians, Italians and Norwegians preparatory to and working group² meeting today. Reaction of all except Italians rather cool. British felt handling in NAT framework wld make dealings with Swedes and Swiss more difficult, mentioned possible criticism that Pact whose purely defensive nature had been widely emphasized was being used for economic warfare against particular group of states, belief that Dutch and Belgians were progressing favorably and that nothing shld be done which might prejudice Nov 14 meeting. Canadians and French ignorant of subj and inclined share British fear concerning economic warfare criticism. French suggested reps at Nov 14 meeting informally impress on Belgians and Dutch common security interest under Pact. Italians said they had already made representations Brussels and Hague.

Working group today were accordingly merely requested invite their respective Govts to consider how this problem of common security interest to all Pact members cld best be handled on as nearly as possible identical lines by all Pact Govts with hope of obtaining similar action by non-Pact Govts and told we wld like further discussion of this subj in working group in near future. All agreed advise their Govts. British suggested further consideration be deferred pending outcome Nov 14 meeting.

Advise Martin.

Sent Paris, repeated London, Rome, Brussels and Hague, Oslo and Copenhagen.

Acheson

1. This telegram was repeated to London as 3960, to Rome as 2751, to Brussels as 1286, to The Hague as 974, to Oslo as 519, and to Copenhagen as 528.
2. The International Working Group of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was composed of the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs as Chairman and the Ambassadors (or their representatives) of the NATO countries in Washington as members. It met frequently to discuss policy aspects of the subordinate organs of NATO and to provide necessary coordination.