611.004/12–2951
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Thorp) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations (McFall)
Subject: Early Senate Consideration of Commercial Treaties Signed During 1951.
During the past year, the U.S. has signed treaties of friendship, commerce and navigation with Colombia (April 26), Greece (August 3), Israel (August 23) and Denmark (October 1); a treaty of amity and economic relations with Ethiopia (September 7); and an agreement with Italy supplementing the treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation of 1948 (September 26). Two of these instruments have already been transmitted to the Senate: those with, respectively, Colombia (Executive M) and Israel (Executive R), 82d Congress 1st session. The Report and Message on the Ethiopia treaty is now ready to be sent to the Secretary and White House for transmittal; and it is expected that the other three will very shortly be ready for transmittal.
These six instruments were all negotiated in connection with the Department’s program of extending and modernizing the treaty protection of American citizens, corporations, capital, trade and shipping abroad, with special emphasis on establishing conditions favorable to private investment. The importance attached to keeping this program moving forward suggests the eminent desirability of Senate action on these six instruments during the 1952 session. It seems likely that this result might most probably be accomplished if the Foreign Relations Committee were able to schedule them for relatively early consideration, before the Senate becomes preoccupied with other items on its agenda or with pressure for adjournment. The major treaties of this group are of a type which has already been given Senate consideration and approval in connection with its advice and consent to the ratification of the treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation of 1948 with Italy (Executive E, 80th Congress, 2nd session), the treaty of friendship, commerce and economic development of 1949 with Uruguay (Executive D, 81st Congress, 2nd session), and the treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation of 1950 with Ireland (Executive H, 81st Congress, 2nd session). It is not believed that any of them is controversial, or that consideration of them is likely to impose a great burden on the Committee. I should therefore appreciate your seeing what can be done to have them expediently scheduled for action.