840.50/399½: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Matthews) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—8:40 p.m.]
1223. Embassy’s No. 327, January 22.
1. Leith-Ross has today supplied Embassy with copy of Norwegian Government’s reply to Soviet memorandum of January 13.
Essence of reply is that Norwegian Government (a) are in full agreement with principles laid down by USSR as to tasks to be undertaken by Inter-Allied Committee, (b) agree with proposal to appoint special technical sub-committees, and (c) adhere to proposal for the establishment of an Inter-Allied secretariat; in the latter instance Norwegians reserve right to be represented on secretariat.
2. Leith-Ross states both Foreign Office and his Committee are anxious to reply to Soviet memorandum of January 13 just as soon as possible. Such a reply is being held up until viewpoint of pertinent American authorities has been received here. They would therefore greatly appreciate if Embassy could receive prompt word when this may be expected.12
- The Department replied in telegram No. 1130, March 18, 11 p.m., that consideration had been delayed pending receipt of memoranda brought by the Ambassador and that it was now hoped to send expression of views in a week or 10 days.↩