740.5/6–2051: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council ( Spofford) to the Secretary of State 1
Depto 1152. Deputies 48th mtg June 19.
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3. (a) US reported on effectiveness VOA in USSR. On economic conditions agreed that Soviet war-making potential greater than in 1940 and that economy largely self-sufficient. Expect economy will continue expand altho more slowly than in recent years. Productivity low but improving. Agriculture below pre-war. With Canada called attention to ability to turn economy under absolute control to full war production which less feasible in West.
Canada noted Soviet natl pride in wealth of resources and their exploitation. In addition to progress in technical fields noted by US, Canada reported such problems as training skilled labor and development highway systems being tackled forcefully but with little success. Cautioned that USSR has already shown ability to make war in spite of weaknesses.
(b) To French question, UK said no instructions but generally opposed to deputies taking up study of military aspects USSR which shld be referred SG.
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- Repeated to all the other NATO capitals, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, and Wiesbaden.↩