560.AL/8–1648: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate at Geneva
1096. For US Del GATT. For delivery before 10 AM, Aug 17.
1. Memo outlining forthcoming scheduling future negotiations within framework GATT (urtel 1033 1003, Aug 15)1 submitted President with recommended course of action stated therein as follows:
“We propose that the United States should encourage and participate in negotiations with as many countries as practicable. There are a number of countries with which we do not propose to negotiate, notably Argentina, Spain and the iron-curtain countries, with the possible exception of Finland.
“We would hope to complete any negotiations which may be scheduled within the terms of the present extension of the Trade Agreements Act, that is, before June 30, 1949. Approximately the following time schedule would be necessary: (a) Publication of formal notice of intention to negotiate, naming the countries and products involved, about October 15, 1948. (b) Public hearings on the list of products about December 1, 1948. (c) Opening of definite negotiations in March or April 1949.”
President has approved foregoing except for changing date of public notice under (a) to Nov 15. This will of course advance date for public hearings to Dec 15. Consequently you should proceed on that basis but avoid disclosing now exact date for US public notice.
Full text memo transmitted airmail.2
2. Response so far US inquiry non-GATT countries re negotiations as follows:
- (a)
- Colombia definitely interested. Denmark and Italy probably interested but no formal reply as yet. El Salvador interested.
- (b)
- Following countries studying inquiry: Bolivia; Dominican Republic (interested in sugar); Mexico; Peru (doubtful); Siam; Sweden (interested in principle in acceding GATT but expressed doubt re proposed negotiating time schedule); Switzerland (doubtful); Trans Jordan; Turkey; Venezuela.
- (c)
- Israeli Govt studying question whether it is not now a member of GATT since UK accepted GATT on behalf Palestine as mandated territory. Will send you Dept opinion this point later.
- (d)
- Argentina definitely not interested. Nepal not interested pending accession to UN.
3. Re para 2 urtel. Unable perceive why issue of leaving MFN agreement open for accession non-GATT countries should cause serious negotiating difficulties. Would think GATT countries would want others to accede. Question of whether GATT countries will let them do so is clearly relevant in a GATT meeting. Suggest that draft MFN agreement be put forward in present form permitting accession by non-GATT countries. If other countries then make issue re accession non-GATT countries and it appears that this point is significant stumbling block in getting agreement, we would be prepared re-consider. Army concurs.
4. Re para 2 Embtel 3678, Aug 13 from London, repeated Geneva as 67. Note that Trieste not included in present draft agreement because trade involved relatively unimportant and it was desired to avoid complicating problem. However, it would be desirable to include in agreement if this can be done without undue complication.