Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

711.90/10–2449

The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (McGhee) to the British Superintending Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Wright), at London¹

secret

Washington, October 24, 1949.

My Dear Michael: I often recall the helpful discussions which we had in London on my return from the Near East this past spring. Since taking over my new functions² I have also heard frequent reference to the important part you have played in the development of the present effective collaboration between the Foreign Office and the Department in Near Eastern matters, particularly in the important conversations during the fall of 1947. A great deal has happened since your visit here in 1947 and, in fact, there have been a number of new developments since our meeting in London, which laid the foundation for the Economic Survey Mission.³ Since Mr. Bevin did not bring a Near Eastern expert with him during his recent visit,³ there was not much opportunity for detailed discussions on this area.

In these circumstances, the thought occurred to us that it would be helpful to both of our governments if we could meet with you again to discuss matters of common interest in the Near Eastern area, particularly in the political and economic fields. Roger Makins⁴ agreed to take the matter up with you on his return, and I was pleased to hear today from your Embassy that the idea appealed to you and that you would be able to come. I have had in mind for the meeting something of a rather informal character, more or less along the lines of our conversations with Mr. Dening⁵ when he was recently here with Mr. Bevin. I have no precise agenda in mind, but we would obviously find it of interest to discuss the activities of the Economic Survey Mission, whose preliminary report will be available at that time, and the longer range development proposals which we understand you have been preparing, as well as such political questions as the Syrian-Iraqi union movement,⁶ and the status of the Arab League. We will, of course, be glad to receive any suggestions which you may have as to suitable topics for discussion. Unless you feel strongly, we would prefer not to deal with military or strategic problems as such, except insofar as they may bear on other topics. We will also be glad to discuss with you if you like any other common problems within your area of responsibility, such as the Italian Colonies question, however, we would like to focus our discussions on the Arab world and Israel.

Your suggestion of November 15 as the date of your visit is fine. I will be back by that time from meeting with our Chiefs of Mission to the Arab States and Israel now scheduled for around November 10.⁷ We had previously considered having this meeting later, in which case your visit would have come first, however I believe the other sequence will probably be preferable. Mid-November will also be an opportune time to discuss any UN problems which might be awaiting action in the General Assembly. There is some slight competition at this time from the Shah of Iran, who will be in Washington between the 16th and 19th, however, he will not take much of our time and you will be wanting to see other people in your Embassy, the Department, and the government who will not be involved with the Shah. We will be glad to have you stay as long as you like. Our Near Eastern talks should, however, not occupy us more than four to five days.

I would appreciate having your comments on the foregoing. I look forward to seeing you here, and feel sure that a frank and informal discussion between us will be helpful to us both.⁸

With kindest personal regards,

Sincerely yours,

George C. McGhee

1. Enclosed in Mr. McGhee’s letter of October 24 to the Second Secretary of Embassy in the United Kingdom (Palmer) for transmittal to Mr. Wright.
2. Mr. McGhee became Assistant Secretary of State on October 3.
3. For documentation on this subject, see pp. 594 ff.
3. For documentation on this subject, see pp. 594 ff.
4. Sir Roger M. Makins, Deputy Under-Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office.
5. Maberly E. Dening, Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office.
6. For documentation on this subject, see pp. 180 ff.
7. The Conference was actually held from November 26 to 29; for relevant documentation, see pp. 165 ff.
8. The genesis of the McGhee–Wright conversations may be traced back to discussions at Paris between Secretary Acheson and Ernest Bevin, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Acheson, on June 1, informed the Department that Mr. Bevin had inquired of him “whether we think it would be useful for Wright to go to Washington … with view to further discussion Near Eastern questions.” (Actel 30) The Department responded the same day, advising the Secretary that a visit by Mr. Wright “would be helpful.” (Telac 38) The two telegrams are printed on pp. 1081 and 1082.

   Later in June and until the talks got under way in November, the Department exchanged letters and telegrams with the Embassy in the United Kingdom on the timing of the talks, the agenda and the like. These papers are filed under 711.41 and 711.90.

   Additional information on the origins of the talks is included in Mr. McGhee’s memorandum of October 7, p. 165.