Office of the Historian

460.509/7–651: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State

secret
London, July 6, 1951—1 p. m.

94. Excon. From Linder.1

1. On basis lunch conversation with Berthoud2 before first mtg and in view King’s judgment Paris situation, our present estimate optimum possible time schedule follows:

(a)
Attainable area Tripartite agreement probably known next week and may be possible have cleared with respective govts by July 16;
(b)
Initial CG mtg Paris unlikely before middle or latter part week July 16 owing time needed translation and documentation;
(c)
Recess after CG mtg for ref issues to respective govts may take two weeks, so that early August our optimum estimate for reopening CG mtg for discussion substance of proposals. Unable determine at this time whether discussion of individual IA items in COCOM may be necessary.

2. Berthoud at lunch appeared relatively uninformed re our legislative situation and expressed great interest have more details. He assured Linder that UK and France wld give full support in CG to any informal mutual agreement reached here but, of course, cld not say how great area of agreement wld be and felt US shld make proposals to CG. Emb and USDel believe in existing atmosphere this preferable to joint tripartite presentation. We will continue press for firm tripartite agreement on all aspects.

3. At opening mtg yesterday, Linder set forth general US views and objectives in statement substantially same as supplied by Dept.

4. Pls inform Bissell3 that copy his letter4 outlining Golding’s instructions promised Linder not yet recd here.

5. Pls keep Linder promptly informed any new legislative developments.

Sent Dept 94, rptd info Paris 29. [Linder.]

Gifford
  1. According to plans outlined in telegram 7021 to Paris, June 22, p. 1129, Linder left Bern on July 4 and arrived in London that same day where he remained until July 18.↩
  2. Eric A. Berthoud, Assistant Under Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office.↩
  3. Richard M. Bissell, Jr., Deputy Administrator for Economic Cooperation.↩
  4. Not found in Department of State files.↩