294. Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts in Europe1
131325. Subject: FRG March 9 Proposals re UK. Italian Ambassador March 11 asked Leddy US view of FRG proposal on commercial arrangements with applicants.
Leddy replied that US following discussion with great interest but with no activity. Ortona asked whether the US would not be opposed to the free trade area concept. Leddy replied US does not favor free trade [Page 679] areas but it was not yet clear what might emerge from discussions in Brussels. Until Communities had made further progress in sorting out their own position, it was not appropriate for US to become involved. US noted, however, that there were no membership provisions in FRG proposals and this seemed significant flaw. We favored full UK membership and could understand transitional arrangement directed clearly to this end.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, ECIN 3 EEC. Confidential. Drafted by Fina, cleared by Katz, and approved by Leddy. Sent to 10 posts in Europe.↩