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

460.509/6–1651: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret
priority

Washington, June 22, 1951—7 p. m.

7021. Excon. Ref Deptel 6821 June 14 rptd London 5870,² and Embtel 7831 June 16.³

1. Dept today handed aide-mémoire to Brit and Fr Embs along fol lines: USGovt has been reviewing gen Excon policies in light recent and future Cong legis. Discussions being undertaken with all countries receiving US econ aid in order reach agrmt extend and tighten existing controls so far as consistent with broad security interests US and free nations. Dept proposes undertake discussions with CG countries multilaterally in CG, at least initially, but wishes discuss its proposals urgently and in detail with UK and Fr Govts first in order concert views to extent possible. Informal Tri discussions already held re List II problem and Dept wishes continue them formally at proposed mtg, if possible reaching firm Tri agrmt on principles and procedures for handling QC problem as well as disposition individ items. Of greater urgency in US view is need eliminate relatively small remaining disparity between List I and US list of items of primary strategic importance. Latter includes nr of items discussed in London Tri talks last fall but not agreed for embargo either for technical reasons or policy differences. Residual items in IA list being carefully reviewed in USGovt and final list wld be brought by US Del to proposed Tri talks. US expects present this list to CG so that individ PCs may be aware of items this Govt considers primary significance and believes shld be embargoed. Before doing so, Dept wld like review list with UK and Fr Govts with view to Tri recommendation that items be embargoed. USGovt also wishes reach agrmt in CG on more explicit criteria for determining whether exceptions to gen rule of embargo, on grounds hardship or prior commitments, are clearly justified in mutual security interest. Dept wld like discuss its view that hardship exceptions shld only be made after mutual consultation and only when exporting country wld otherwise face certain loss of supplies from SovBloc which are essential support its defense effort and which cannot be obtained from West without undue sacrifice. Re prior commitments, US view is that exceptions for List I goods shld only be made if official commitment of Govt involved and if Govt reports the particular exception is necessary for specific reasons such as those which wld govern in situations of hardship.

Re Tri mtgs, aide-mémoire state US wld like begin discussions foregoing three matters and such others as may be suggested at earliest feasible date. Dept prepared send Del London or Paris to commence talks during first week July. USDel wld be headed by Harold Linder, Deputy Asst Secy for Econ Aff. Dept has in mind if Tri discussions cld begin say July 5 it shld be possible complete gen policy phase of talks in time permit presentation gen proposals to mtg of CG which might be convened Paris about July 12 or 13. USDel wld be prepared continue immed with Tri technical talks in Paris in order reach Tri agrmt on disposition List II items.

2. Orally, Dept has informed UK Emb that we wld welcome have Tri policy talks in London. Dept has informed UK Emb that reply to its QC memo of May 16 will be given next week. We will probably give Fr a copy.

3. For Tri talks Dept wishes USDel include Moore from Emb London as Linder’s deputy, King from Paris, and Jacques if not essential he remain Paris. Ainsworth will accompany Linder from Dept. Col Moffatt will represent Def Dept. Expect George represent Com, and Hutchinson be available for tech talks. Expect ECA also be represented.

4. Separate tel sent today⁴ re Excon negots with Swiss, in which Dept wishes have Linder (initially) and King participate. Since second phase of Swiss talks may overlap second phase of Tri talks, and Linder may not participate in either, Dept believes it most impt have Moore available to carry on with Tri when King in Bern.

5. Dept hopes have replies from UK and Fr middle next week. In view necessity avoid further delays, request Embs London and Paris do whatever possible to follow this up and gain acceptance time sched we have suggested. In that connection, appears urgent settle Tri aspect of Swiss talks promptly. Dept unaware present status.

6. Welcome comments on any of foregoing.

Acheson

1. Drafted by Ainsworth and cleared with Camp, Wright, George of Commerce, Moffatt of Defense, and Cox of ECA; repeated to London and sent by airpouch to Ottawa, Rome, Brussels, The Hague, Copenhagen, Oslo, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Bern, Stockholm, and Vienna.
2. Ante, p. 1109.
3. Ante, p. 1115.
4. Supra.