396.1/10–2551: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
priority niact
2198. Eyes only for Gifford and Holmes. We have particularly noted Churchill’s repeated reference to the desirability of meeting of Heads of Governments. We have grave doubts as to the desirability of any such meeting, as there has been no indication of any change in the Soviet attitude which would imply the Soviets would be prepared to reach realistic accommodations on any of the issues creating tensions today. Without any such indication, and if the meeting is held at suggestion of West, the pressure would be on the Western countries to make concessions so that the meeting could appear successful. In this connection we have in mind the present Soviet attitude on the Korean Armistice talks and their efforts to frustrate or slow German rearmament, etc. The President’s position [Page 979] has been clearly stated that he is prepared to meet Mr. Stalin in Washington if the latter desires to do so but this is very different from our soliciting a meeting at some other place. It would accordingly be a serious matter if Mr. Churchill should make any public proposal in this sense without prior consultation with us. Consequently, in the event the Conservatives win, it seems to us important that Mr. Churchill know at the outset our position as above and it will be appreciated if you will take earliest opportunity after election to inform him along these lines.
Mr. Churchill may desire to talk to the President at an early date about this and other matters. If this is brought up you should know the President’s situation. For the next two weeks he will be busily engaged acting on the laws passed by Congress. Immediately thereafter he proposes to take a vacation for approximately a month. Therefore, the earliest time that would really be convenient for the President would be about the middle of December. Furthermore, it would be difficult adequately to prepare for such meeting before that time as many of the people who should be involved in the preparations for the meeting will also be away during that period.
- Drafted by Perkins, Raynor, and Walworth Barbour of the Office of Eastern European Affairs, and cleared in principle with Secretary Acheson.↩