949.5262A/8–751: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
945. Brit Emb here now has further communication FonOff on matter suspension overflights (London’s 751 Aug 7,2 Deptel 861 to Paris Aug 83 and Paris tel 980 Aug 114) indicating UK, in addition to desiring consultation with other interested Western govs and their concurrence, considers essential (1) US prior approach to Czech Gov and (2) avoidance publicity.
UK views on prior approach now appear take into acct our belief connection between suspension and Oatis case shld be avoided. UK thus envisages prelim démarche by US Amb to Czech FonMin in which former, stressing again seriousness this problem in US-Czech relations, wld make Czechs understand US cannot let this issue remain unsettled and failure to release Oatis will bring new US [Page 1396] action and new consequences. UK believes such approach shld bring Czechs to realization overflights wld be suspended (without mention suspension) unless Oatis released and this might accomplish our purpose, provided suspension itself wld do so. If suspension nevertheless necessary, Czechs wld then know reason for it.
We are willing to go along with UK in this approach and Emb London shld so inform FonOff as we will Brit Emb here.5 At same time Emb London shld urge FonOff to instruct its Emb in Paris press French for concurrence in suspension in accordance UK agreement take up with Paris (London’s reftel) and as Paris Emb recommends (Paris reftel). It is hoped UK wld give due emphasis to importance polit considerations which we strongly believe over-ride any econ factors involved.
As to argument in French memo (Paris reftel) we cannot tell whether suspension overflights might affect question of settling wagon-lits issue, but in any event think present problem of such importance to Western parties generally their coop may well be expected even at cost of some econ sacrifices, particularly in light econ sacrifices all Western countries are called upon to make in upholding collective interests free world. This shld be made clear to UK and Emb Paris shld convey it to FonOff at next approp occasion. Meanwhile Dept will call in French Amb and take up matter with him.
- Drafted by Vedeler of EUR/EE; cleared by EUR/WE, EUR/BNA, GER/GPA, and AV; and approved by Reinhardt of EUR/EE and Deputy Assistant Secretary Bonbright. Also sent to Paris and repeated to Praha, Brussels, The Hague, and Frankfurt.↩
- Telegram 751 reported that the British Foreign Office was prepared to concur with the procedure proposed in telegram 805 to London (Document 695), provided the Czechoslovak Government was first informed that overflight suspension and other countermeasures would be taken if Oatis were not released within a certain time. (949.5262A/8–751)↩
- See footnote 3, supra.↩
- Supra.↩
- In telegram 120 from Praha, August 16, Ambassador Briggs commented that the British proposal for a démarche in Praha would lead to the indefinite postponement of Oatis’ release and might also lead to an early rupture in U.S.-Czechoslovak relations. (249.1111–Oatis, William/8–1651)↩