Office of the Historian

460.509/4–1654: Telegram

The United States Special Representative in Europe (Hughes) to the Department of State1

confidential
priority
Paris, April 16, 1954—1 p.m.

Polto 1670. Excon. Reference: Poltos 1646, 1654, 1669.2 Subject: Summary report of CG meeting.

1.
Specific results in chronological order were:
a.
Approval COCOM, China Committee reports without change.
b.
Year’s extension d’Orlandi’s term as chairman COCOM.
c.
Interim (until July 1) continuance Vaes chairmanship China Committee.
d.
Turkish general acceptance most COCOM obligations (except installation IC/DV system) which is still under study.
e.
Decision hold another CG meeting in July assess results COCOM’s list review.
f.
Continuation current controls over China trade; however, problem scheduled for review in general way next CG.
g.
Approval US list review and diversion proposals (Docs 1563, 1566).3
h.
Substantive discussion trade tactics (previously considered beyond CG’s terms reference) and inference discussion will be extended next CG.
i.
Approval resolution advocating “common position” at ECE.4
2.
Practical results were:
a.
US views re procedures for forthcoming list review generally prevailed in instructions given COCOM by CG, i.e., category by category examination, establishment licensing guides, all three lists to be reviewed, en masse implementation after additional CG meeting (with door open, however, for UK raise peel-off cases in COCOM for agreement). While these procedural matters not decisive, obvious under them list review more apt be orderly, security considerations more dominant than if UK desires had prevailed.
b.
Retention concept of quantitative control endorsed by number PCs. While list of items covered under this concept undoubtedly will be reduced, at least this means restricting trade in important items not accepted for embargo and in “special cases” cases will be available.
c.
Also generally agreed need exists for some kind of still undefined “surveillance” list.
d.
Control mechanisms will be strengthened concurrently with list review. US strong emphasis on need for improved enforcement was seconded by all countries and it was generally accepted that Mutual Security demanded stringent enforcement of whatever shortened list might emerge from the review.
e.
Certain of smaller countries, for differing reasons, can be counted upon by US for support on specific issues. Canadians and Italians effectively endorsed most of US position during CG. Germans generally favorable. Belgians understood ready to support US (lack statements at CG ascribed to political crisis at home). Dutch probably would not be troublesome although definite support unlikely. Turkish views, when expressed, coincided with US; may be possible obtain support on particularly important matters even though still “feeling way” in COCOM. On other hand, Danes obviously favor minimum of controls and attempted record reservations throughout; Norway probably “neutral” in most matters though censuring sharply US unilateral controls, especially Battle Act. Japan, Portugal views will be determined by what effect they think particular issue will have on China trade. Considerable credit must be given bilateral talks, both Washington and field, for generally favorable reception US views (rather than UK) at CG, although any appearance open divergence US/UK positions scrupulously avoided.

Text of important statements have been pouched. Amplifying details will appear CG documents in approximately two weeks.

Hughes
  1. Repeated to London, Bern, Bonn, Brussels, Copenhagen, The Hague, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Oslo, Ottawa, Rome, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Vienna.↩
  2. None printed. The reference telegrams were dated Apr. 14, 15, and 16, 1954, respectively; each reported in more detail than presented here on the three sessions of the Consultative Group meeting of Apr. 13 and 14. (460.509/4–1454; /4–1554; /4–1654)↩
  3. Neither found in Department of State files.↩
  4. Documentation concerning the proceedings at the meeting of the Economic Council of Europe in Geneva in early March 1954 is in file 340.240.↩