No. 81

398.18-BR/11–1551: Circular telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1

plain
night letter

459. Belg Govt at US suggestion has invited 32 Govts to participate conference on migration Brussels Nov 26. US will make major proposals for consideration by conference. These proposals consist of:

a.
Draft resolution providing for estab “Provisional Committee for the Movement of European Migrants”, and that Committee take such action as may be directly related to the moving of migrants from certain European countries having surplus population, elect officers etc., exercise powers required to carry out its purpose, adopt a plan of operations, appoint a director and staff and vest director with necessary powers to carry out responsibilities entrusted to him.
b.
Plan of operations incl organizational arrangements and objectives and proposals for financing budget of expenditures of Provisional Committee. Primary objective is to move 115,000 persons in one year of operations, who wld not otherwise be moved, at over-all cost of $34,000,000. US is prepared to contribute $10,000,000 (exclusive of any reimbursements to Committee for services rendered to US) providing all Govts agree to provide funds, services or reimbursements [Page 191] adequate to meet approx proposed budget of $34,000,000.

Govt to which you are accredited has been invited to conference. Copies draft resolution and plan of organizational and financial arrangements forwarded under separate cover soonest.

Request you advise FonOff foregoing, supply copies above when recd and request FonOff that Govt Rep at conference be authorized sign provisional arrangements provided proposals acceptable to Govt.

Webb
  1. Drafted by George L. Warren of the Refugees and Displaced Persons Staff of the Bureau of United Nations Affairs and cleared by UNE, BNA, S/M, UNI, ARA, L/UNA, EUR, and GPA. Sent to the Embassies and Legations located in all countries to be invited to the Migration Conference and repeated to Geneva.