560.AL/4–1248
Memorandum by Mr. Harold C. Vedeler of the Division of Central European Affairs to the Director of the Office of European Affairs (Hickerson)
With reference to the request of your secretary concerning the coming into force of trade concessions to Czechoslovakia under GATT, I am informed by Mr. Wood1 and Mr. Reinstein2 as follows:
The Department has not as yet reached a decision whether the proclamation should be issued giving effect to these concessions vis-à-vis Czechoslovakia. Although most foreign governments approached in this matter with a view to joint action have not responded favorably,3 Mr. Lovett and Mr. Clayton still feel that a way must be found by which the United States Government can avoid putting GATT into effect with reference to Czechoslovakia. In their opinion, the issuance of a proclamation would endanger renewal by Congress of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act. At the present time representatives of the Department are exploring the matter with Congress, particularly through Mr. Riffle,4 in an effort to see what is the best course to follow.
- C. Tyler Wood, Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.↩
- Jacques J. Reinstein, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.↩
- Responses and also exchanges between certain of the missions and the Department which are not printed are in file 560.A1; see telegram Telmar 73, April 16, 4 p.m., p. 916.↩
- Leslie Biffle, Staff Director, Minority (Democratic) Policy Committee of the Senate.↩