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

460.509/7–1851: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

secret

Paris, July 18, 1951—midnight.

387. Excon. From Linder.¹ UK Cabinet decision reported at mtg 3 dels this evening negative in respect of immediate decision on 20 items. UK only prepared to discuss them within COCOM. At CG UK and Fr will respectively present QC and exception papers. UK will present list of 33 items accepted by them and Fr inclusion on I and II and state they regard balance our list requires discussion and decision in COCOM. In all this Fr will concur.

Berthoud stated privately Cabinet has in mind that embargo additional items so important trade of Western Eur that UK unwilling bring pressure on other PC’s implicit in any degree of acceptance now of additional items. Other confidential indications that Treasury swung decision in Cabinet because of concern of deteriorating balance of payments position. Also possible UK suspects US dilemma which is that we wish continue aid and feeling urgency make exceptions for UK and Fr, we shall do so based on present area agreement which they will infer to mean they have already gone as far as necessary.

In CG tomorrow, USDel will reiterate US conviction all 1–A items of primary importance and shld be embargoes. With UK and Fr agreement, we will request all PC’s come to next CG mtg in ten days prepared to state position on all 1–A items and QC and exceptions proposals and to instruct COCOM undertake immed consideration any items not agreed. Believe minimum time for decision of COCOM three to four weeks from now.

Linder giving consideration to visit individual PC capitals particularly Copenhagen, Brussels, Hague, in order emphasize importance US attributes to maximum area multilateral agreement subject to mission chiefs concurrence. Pls comment.²

Sent Dept 387, rptd info London 89. [Linder.]

Bruce

1. The United States Delegation to the London tripartite discussions on export controls, led by Linder, left London on July 18 and arrived in Paris that same night. The delegation was in Paris for the meetings of the Consultative Group and COCOM.
2. In telegram 449 to Paris, July 19, not printed, the Department of State endorsed Linder’s suggestion to visit the three European capitals mentioned. (460.509/7–1951)