Office of the Historian

460.509/11–2250: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

secret
priority
Washington, November 22, 1950—8 p. m.

2861. Excon USDel. Re London’s 2959 Nov 21 rptd Paris 9572 and Deptel 2823 Nov 22 rptd London 2687.3 Substance of fol two paras shld be communicated to other delegations by USRep at CG mtg Nov 29:4

1.
In accepting tripartite agreement, US understands that way is left open within terms of agreement for any country to propose more restrictive control on specific items where believed desirable, to extent that such action can be justified by presenting additional technological or trade info or intelligence concerning situation in Sovbloc, indicating a demonstrable strategic advantage in tighter control. US has no present intention to suggest any major changes in lists agreed for control by three countries and recommended by them to CG. While internatl situation remains as at present, and allowing for changes justified by new info, US believes that measures to expand internatl security export controls as agreed in London are acceptable and that highest priority shld now be given to obtaining their acceptance by other Participating Countries, implementing agreement on quantitative controls, tightening up transit and other controls, and obtaining cooperation of important non-participants.
2.
US understands that Internatl Lists represent minimum level of export control agreed internationally as necessary for protection mutual security interests, and that any individual country may impose controls more restrictive if deemed necessary in its own interest and is of course free to take whatever steps may be necessary and desirable in the implementation of its export licensing in specific cases to assure that the purpose of its controls will not be defeated.

Acheson
  1. This telegram, which was repeated to London as 2714. had the concurrence of the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and the Economic Cooperation Administration.↩
  2. Ante, p. 241.↩
  3. Supra.↩
  4. For the report on the meeting of the Consultative Group on November 29, see telegram 3069, November 30, from Paris, p. 246.↩