Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

460.509/5–1051: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices ¹

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Washington, May 10, 1951—midnight.

693. Excon. Senate in surprise move today unanimously adopted amendment to Third Supplemental Appropriations Bill which would prohibit US economic or financial aid to any country which exports to Sovbloc any war matériel or commodities certified by Sec Defense as of possible use in mfr of war matériel and directs Sec Defense make such certification.

In debate Senate indicated extreme dissatisfaction with operation Cannon amendment and instructed conferees to agree to no changes in conference which wld give Administration discretion continue fon aid to countries failing embargo export to Sovbloc of items falling within very broad definition provided in bill.²

This action is in substantial part result of inability of US Govt hitherto make available to public and Congress facts as to extent of cooperation among US and Western European countries in controlling trade in strategic items with Sovbloc. No amount of general explanation and argument, without facts to back them up, will convince Congress and people that WE in fact cooperating effectively in this field.

Dept considers there is no real hope of entirely eliminating Senate amendment in conference, but that there is some chance of limiting scope of amendment to items of direct strategic importance. In order accomplish even this, however, Dept believes it essential make public a) fact of existence of CG/COCOM, b) membership of CG/COCOM, and c) detailed description of items on IL I and possibly IL II. Accordingly, Dept giving urgent consideration desirability of immediate publication, possibly by National Security Council or by Pres, of factual report setting forth such info together with US policy in export control field. Report wld also point out extent to which WE and other parts of free world dependent on obtaining supplies basic materials and strategic items from Sovbloc. In order be effective, report shld be published over week-end in view probability House and Senate conferees will meet Mon, May 14.

Pls approach FonOff immediately this matter and make strongest possible effort overcome objections course of action outlined above.

This supersedes Depcirtel 683, May 10.³

Acheson

1. Drafted by the Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Defense and Trade Policy, (formerly the Office of International Trade Policy) John M. Leddy, and cleared in substance with EUR and H; sent to London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, The Hague, Oslo, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Frankfurt, and Ottawa.
2. For information concerning the Kem Amendment under reference here, see the editorial note, supra.
3. Circular telegram 683, not printed, which was transmitted 11 hours earlier than the source text, was drafted in the Office of European Regional Affairs; and requested each mission to secure permission from the Foreign Ministry of their respective countries to publish information of a general nature concerning the activities of COCOM. Unlike the source text, this telegram stated that the Department of State would try not to reveal the names of the participating countries unless pressed and that the contents of the international lists would not be revealed. (460.509/5–1051)