840.00/3–1149: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
urgent
906. ReDeptel 714, March 3.1 Meeting Foreign Ministers of WU scheduled for March 14 to deal with MAP. They plan initial presentation to US embracing acceptance of general principle prepared by seventeenth or earlier.
Suggest that close association with this meeting from our point of view might be advisable, particularly on certain matters.
Suggest, in accordance with paragraph 6, Deptel 714, that without now contemplating permanent US representation, overtures be made to end that I be free to meet with Foreign Ministers informally on specific questions if they consider it advisable and to their advantage to have certain phases US views clarified.
Above dictated before seeing Bevin, who on own initiative, brought up question US participation forthcoming meeting Foreign Ministers and Finance Ministry Committee. He suggested that Foreign Ministers might wish me meet privately on specific questions. This could be done without publicity since I am stationed in London.
After meeting Foreign Ministers, Permanent Commission will work out many details. Bevin suggests, since American Ambassador London could attend meetings without attracting notice, that he should do so on questions involving MAP.
Bevin believes formal US representation might be postponed until programme takes more definite shape, possibly until MAP becomes publicly known as at least partial implementation of Atlantic Pact, or until the latter has been signed.
Bevin somewhat concerned lest formal US representation on WU Foreign Ministers council or committees give too strong impression of US aggressive direction and control.
As to presentation of proposal to US and explanation to WU public opinion, Bevin will send Jebb to confer with me during next day or so.
- Not printed.↩