S/S–NSC files, lot 63 D 351, “U.S. Civil Aviation Policy—U.S.S.R. and Satellites”
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Lay) 1
- Subject:
- Fourth Progress Report on Implementation of NSC 15/3, entitled: “United States Civil Aviation Policy Toward U.S.S.R. and Its Satellites.”
Part I
No significant actions have been taken with regard to the policy since the progress report of November 4, 1953.2 It can be noted, however, that in view of steps taken by the Czechoslovakian Government to remove the causes for which a restriction on flights of the Czechoslovakian airline, CSA, over the territory of the German Federal Republic was originally imposed by the Occupying Powers, the United States and France are prepared to lift this ban. CSA was contained by a policy decision outside the provisions of NSC 15/3, and the lifting of the restriction will not affect implementation of the basic policy.
Part II
Execution of the policy has been effective. There have been recent reports of a Russian desire to facilitate air travel between Eastern and Western Europe through interline arrangements between the Russian airline, Aeroflot, and Western air carriers. These arrangements would involve direct connections at border points and through ticketing, but the routes of the flag carriers would remain unchanged. Therefore, such arrangements are not [Page 435] expected to affect adversely the objectives of NSC 15/3, which are still considered desirable.