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

460.509/6–1351: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret
priority

Washington, June 14, 1951—5 p. m.

6810. For King. No distribution outside Dept. In talk with congressmen tomorrow (London’s 6524),² you shld be aware that Reps Herter (R) and Battle (D) are key members House FonAff Comite whose support Dept hopes obtain in connection efforts to substitute new legis for Kem amendment. Other two Reps are Republican members House Appropriations Comite. Dept has had frequent contacts with Battle, who is chairman Subcomite of FonAff Comite which we hope will recommend new legis. Battle Subcomite has published report on Excon situation³ which is generally constructive and recognizes validity of our basic premise that while certain goods shld be completely embargoed there are econ and polit advantages to be derived from continued trade in others of lower strategic importance. Believe it important that congressmen fully apprec accomplishments and problems of COCOM.

FYI only, Battle has prepared confid draft of new legis and has requested Dept views. You may indicate awareness Subcomite investigations and existence report but shld not mention draft legis.

Acheson

1. Drafted by Ainsworth and cleared with Camp and Leddy.
2. Not printed; it informed the Embassy in Paris of the arrival of a Congressional delegation including Laurie C. Battle, Representative from Alabama, Frederic R. Coudert, Jr., Representative from New York, Christian A. Herter, Representative from Massachusetts, and Richard B. Wigglesworth, Representative from Massachusetts. (033.1100–WI/6–1351)
3. For information concerning the “Battle Report”, see the editorial note, p. 1176.