230. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1

10105. Ref: London 10099.2 Concern about oil supplies mounting here and apparently in continental consumer countries. Gregory (MinPower) told Embassy yesterday that OECD Secretariat phoned last week to suggest early meeting OECD oil committee.3 According Gregory committee chairman (Beckett) declined, and still considers that OECD meeting now would be provocative rather than helpful.4

Kaiser
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, PET 3 OECD. Secret; Exdis.
  2. Not found.
  3. The OECD Special Committee for Oil was the designated forum for the United States and its allies to take steps to manage an oil crisis. In 1960 European OECD members had agreed on emergency procedures to deal with an oil shortage including the “interim apportionment of available oil supplies.” The United States, Canada, and Japan were specifically exempted from participation. “However, the U.S. has consistently declared that, as a matter of principle, it would have regard for and take appropriate action to assist its allies and other friendly governments in times of oil shortage.” (Draft action memorandum by S.H. Rogers (EUR/RPE), June 8, 1967; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Central Files, 1967–69, PET 3 OECD)
  4. Beckett called the meeting for Monday, June 12. (Ibid.)