Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Foreign Aid and Economic Defense Policy, Volume X

139. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

Washington, December 11, 1956.

4116. Excon. Embassy requested transmit following personal message from Secretary to Foreign Secretary Lloyd. See immediately preceding message for instructions.²

“I am writing regarding your statement of June 6, 1956 setting forth the reasons that Her Majesty’s Government do not feel able to re-impose an embargo on copper wire exports to the Soviet Bloc.³

“United States Defense and intelligence experts have recently re-examined the problem of copper wire exports to the Soviet Bloc. On the basis of that re-examination, this government continues to believe that copper wire is of such high strategic importance that it should be embargoed to the Soviet Bloc. We believe that this conclusion is strengthened by recent events in which the U.S.S.R. has used and has threatened the use of force in a manner seriously increasing the danger of war not only in Europe but in other parts of the world as well.

“It is now proposed that a team of our … experts meet with yours in London to discuss the United States rationale for embargo with a view to reaching agreement on the strategic justification for an upgrading of the controls over the export of copper wire. I would welcome your concurrence to the holding of such talks.

“Following completion of these discussions and your government’s reconsideration of the problem, the United States Government would appreciate being advised of your government’s position.”⁴

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 460.509/12–1156. Confidential. Drafted by Knoll and Wright; approved and signed by Dulles. Repeated to Paris.
2. Reference is to telegram 4115 to London, December 11, which contained detailed instructions regarding the proposed bilateral discussions between U.S. and British experts suggested in this message. (Ibid.)
3. Document 121.
4. On December 22, Harold Caccia delivered Lloyd’s reply to Dulles’ letter. Lloyd indicated that the United Kingdom still saw no reason to contemplate an embargo of copper wire exports, but remained willing to listen to U.S. representations on the subject. Lloyd suggested that any such discussion should include the broader question of other proposed additions or deletions to the international list. He also suggested that brief statements of the considerations underlying the U.S. and British positions be prepared as a basis for discussions. This letter was transmitted to the Embassy in telegram 4486 to London, December 28.(Department of State, Central Files, 460.509/12–2856)