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

394.31/9–1551: Telegram

The Ambassador in Norway (Bay) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Oslo, September 5, 1951—6 p. m.

240. Kef Depcirtel 199, August 28, Embtel 226, August 27.¹ Melander² reports informally that Norway will support US proposal terminate GATT relations with Czech. He definitely agrees US position morally justifiable and has implied support from Scandinavian bloc assured on these grounds. Reports Nor and other Scan CP’s have little concern over technique applied and hence stated cld not comment on advisability alternates A or B or use of words “terminate” or “suspend”. Recommends working out technical approach informally with CP’s at Geneva. Feels if this done support of practically all Western Eur and most other CP’s practically certain. He is optimistic re proposal’s success and has implied that as chairman he wld try to get proposal through as quickly and smoothly as possible. He is emphatically against fait accompli approach as detrimental and unnecessary.

[Here follows discussion of another matter.]

Bay

1. Not printed.
2. John Melander, Director of the Politico-Commercial Department, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Melander had been Chairman of the Special Session of the Contracting Parties of GATT that met at Torquay, March 29–April 3, 1951.