315.3/6–1954: Telegram
The Ambassador in Switzerland (Willis) to the Department of State 1
1126. For Secretary. Before receiving your telegram 1687, June 17 I had taken every effort to prepare way for holding Gerety Board hearings Geneva on basis of Department airgram June 1. Swiss Government continues to be reluctant to have such hearings held in Switzerland. In June 14 conversation on subject at Federal Political Department was told Swiss could not approve of hearings for two reasons: first, because objected to precedent established if they allowed one country to conduct such hearings in Switzerland, and second because they regard conducting of such hearing as coming too close to infringement of Swiss sovereignty.
In absence of positive approval which Swiss are not prepared to give, least we can hope for is reluctant forebearance from request by Swiss that hearings be not held in Switzerland.
I explained I was not requesting approval but merely informing Swiss Government about proposed hearings as we did not want to proceed without its knowledge.
I see no prospect of obtaining more favorable response from Swiss whereas if hearings are held discreetly and there is no publicity (which we of course cannot control) we may escape without a protest.
- Copy pouched to Geneva.↩