Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, General: Economic and Political Matters, Volume I, Part 2

460.509/3–3154: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Aldrich) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

London, March 31, 1954—1 p.m.

4263. Excon.

1. Following are results of trilateral negotiation London March 29 and 30. Trilateral draft of proposed instructions from CG to COCOM for detailed review of international lists over period approximately three months agreed and will be tabled at CG meeting April 13. Will be circulated in advance as US proposal; UK and French will support in CG. Instruction is in form of general statement of current “long haul” strategic situation in which control system must be formulated in manner giving appropriate recognition to economic, financial, political situations in “PCs”, must be more selective, substantially less extensive, simpler and reinforced as necessary to be fully effective. Listing guides (criteria) state item eligible for listing only if in one of following categories:

(1) Materials and equipment designed specifically or used primarily for development, production or utilization of munitions and AE materials.

(2) Materials and equipment incorporating advanced technology or unique know-how acquisition of which expected permit significant advance in Soviet bloc technique in military or AE production above level developmental ready achieved or expected to be achieved in short period.

(3) Materials and equipment in which Soviet bloc has critical deficiency in relation its military capabilities which could not be overcome within short period.

2. UK agrees not table their short embargo list (135 items) at CG or thereafter without prior Cabinet level consultation with US. Instead UK agrees to immediate tripartite and subsequent COCOM review (within ten days) of current listings in order determine retention or deletion. Tripartite review to be kept secret from other PCs. Re list II, although UK still desires virtual abolition, future of list II will be determined during course technical review.

3. Tripartite technical review starts April 6 with consideration entire field machine tools plus rolling mills followed on April 12 by review electric power generating equipment. Other categories to follow. Trilateral and subsequent COCOM review of all categories hoped to be completed by July 1.

4. UK has agreed institute transaction controls (although this not part of record) on condition list revision satisfactorily completed and necessary transshipment controls instituted by other PCs.

5. Agreed communiqué issued after close of meetings and carried completely by press. Major points were that wide area of agreement reached enabling review in order encourage expansion trade compatible with security requirements by narrowing substantially scope of controls and increasing effectiveness. Foregoing to be accomplished by discussion “other friendly governments”. Changes envisaged not applicable China controls.

6. More detailed report together with text of documents being pouched other posts except Ottawa and Tokyo to which detailed cable will follow.

Aldrich

1. Repeated to Ankara, Athens, Bonn, Brussels, Copenhagen, The Hague, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Bern, Stockholm, and Ottawa.