115. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, May 1, 19561
SUBJECT
- Control of Shipments of Strategic Items to Communist Countries
PARTICIPANTS
- The Secretary
- Mr. Merchant, EUR
- Mr. MacArthur, C
- Sir Roger Makins
- Sir Hubert Graves
Sir Roger said he had originally expected to have some detailed instructions this morning to discuss with the Secretary regarding strategic controls on shipments of items to Communist countries. However, the recent message from the President had added a new element to the situation, and Foreign Secretary Lloyd had informed Sir Roger that in the light of the President’s message he would look forward to discussing this subject with the Secretary in Paris.
Sir Roger said he thought the general approach taken by the President with respect to the Chincom controls was helpful. With respect to copper wire shipments from the UK to the Soviet Union, the UK was willing to review this situation, but Sir Roger emphasized that it was not politically possible, in the light of the recent Bulganin–Khrushchev visit and the heavy play the Soviets had made to increase trade with the UK, for the UK as a result of such review simply to add additional controls on the shipment of copper wire.
The Secretary said he understood the situation and the political difficulties which the British Government would have if, when the Soviets were trying to reduce the Cocom list, the only result were an increase in this list. He thought, however, that it might well be possible to find two or three items on which the controls could be lowered. The Secretary pointed out again the importance we attached to reducing the shipments of copper wire for military … reasons, and Sir Roger said he had explained in detail our views to Walter Monckton2 and Peter Thorneycroft when he, Sir Roger, visited London last week.
It was left that the Secretary and Mr. Lloyd would discuss this matter further in Paris when they met on May 3.