396.1 GE/5–654: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
Secto 126. Repeated information Paris 213. Re Secto 109 repeated Paris 202,1 Eden tells me that at dinner last night his discussion with Molotov of Chairmanship covered same ground as reftel, with Molotov willing to agree only to rotation among nine or five or four (without France) or two. Eden rejected all of these (although he and we see no objection to UK-USSR).
At this morning’s Chauvel–Allen–Achilles meeting additional possibilities discussed: (1) France–USSR, (2) UK-USSR–France or (3) UK-USSR-one Associated States, probably Laos. UK and US prepared accept any of these with French preferring (2) and putting all three to Bidault in addition to further consideration of UK-USSR.
Molotov appeared in no hurry begin Indochina discussions but he and Eden discussed possibility of having organizational meeting tomorrow with Korean Plenary postponed until Saturday.
Later this afternoon Eden informed me Bidault was consulting Paris but probably would not be ready for IC organizational meeting tomorrow. (Lacoste confirms this, but adds that there is possibility Paris will instruct them attempt to call IC meeting tomorrow afternoon).
[Page 709]I told Eden we would be agreeable IC meeting either day, or if French still not ready, early next week. I suggested no Korean Plenary Saturday,2 but agreed possibility meeting sixteen that day.
Colombia and Philippines inscribed for Korean Plenary tomorrow. If New Zealand does not speak tomorrow, will probably speak Monday. Probable Spaak will also speak Mondays.3 Eden says he is ready speak any time, but I suggested wait see whether we would be in position introduce Plan B proposal4 early next week, tying in his speech with that.