Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

868.10/3–2050: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, March 20, 1950—7 p. m.

1524. Rumbold¹ finally gave us today what he termed preliminary answer to question raised in Deptel 996, March 4, 1950.² As result discussion held with Treasury and within Foreign Office he said he was under instructions to report that UK had always (except in one “minor” case involving loan to Brazil) resisted any proposal to accord necessary British approval to permit International Bank make specific sterling loan. It would be difficult for British to participate in this one, he added, without upsetting this principle. He expressed belief that in relation to its resources, British had “done as well as anyone else in assisting Yugoslavia”. He said that UK would, however, be willing to join with US in any approach to French, Italians or Belgians “to persuade them it was time they did something”. In concluding Rumbold reiterated that “this is not our final answer; however, the first obstacle we have met is a broad one”. We gained impression Rumbold personally not wholly in accord with above British positions.

Douglas

1. Sir Horace Anthony Rumbold, Head of the Southern Department, British Foreign Office.
2. Ante, p. 1381.