Office of the Historian

138. Telegram From the Office of the Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council to the Department of State1

Paris, November 7, 1956—6 p.m.

Polto 1025. Excon. Reference: Topol 732.2 Informal talks with various delegates indicate cautious attitude regarding implications Hungarian developments and they unwilling speculate effect such developments on COCOM/CHINCOM operations. Indication that such developments have had no restraining influence thus far on attitude key delegates in security control context provided by renewed attack in CHINCOM yesterday against unanimity rule (being reported separately).

In talk with U.S. Delegate, Japanese Delegate expressed what is probably view most delegates when he remarked insofar as COCOM/CHINCOM controls concerned, U.S. domestic political developments more important than events Hungary which too early fully assess; also, that U.S. must act promptly to provide substantial relaxation China controls or COCOM controls themselves will be endangered… . view is developments Hungary could strengthen U.S. position on COCOM controls but that this should not detract from urgent need early announcement U.S. position on China controls. Several other delegates yesterday also expressed hope U.S. [Page 405] would take prompt action regarding settlement China control problem with passing November 6.

Perkins
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 460.509/11–756. Confidential. Repeated to London.↩
  2. Not printed. (Ibid., 460.509/11–556)↩