840.002/12–2250
President Truman to the British Prime Minister (Attlee)1
The Secretary of State has informed me of the unfortunate misunderstanding which developed at the Brussels meeting about our [Page 609] proposals for the establishment of the raw materials machinery. I agree with the view expressed in your message to me of December 22 that we must clear this up as quickly as possible.
The question of the size and membership of the central group is one which concerns us very much, because of its bearing on our relations with many other countries and because of the need for obtaining the full support of other countries in handling this whole raw materials problem. Nevertheless, this question presents many complexities which can only be fully explored across the table.
I am therefore asking the Secretary of State to sit down with Sir Oliver Franks and Ambassador Bonnet and see whether they can not arrive at some mutually acceptable understanding as promptly as possible.
- Message enclosed in a brief letter of transmittal from Acheson to Franks, December 28, 1950, not printed; 840.002/7–2250.↩