840.50 Recovery/10–1449: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
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3720. For Holmes.1 Pls deliver to Mr. Bevin the fol personal message from the Sec:
“I know you share my hopes that the mtg of the OEEC Council of Ministers to be held the end of this month will result in agreement on [Page 430] several significant further steps which will make for greater Western European cooperation. Progress on this front now seems to me essential to dispel the feeling which has arisen, both here and in Europe, that European cooperation has weakened and that, in particular, the OEEC has failed in recent months to function with full effectiveness as an instrument of such cooperation.
“As you know, there has been discussion for some months of the possibility that Spaak be appointed to a position of leadership as an international official in the OEEC. While this is of course a matter to be settled exclusively by the members I feel that such a step is at the present time most desirable and that Spaak because of his great abilities including that of reconciling conflicting viewpoints, could do much to strength OEEC in the coming critical period. In such a position he should be able to improve the staff work of the OEEC, sharpen the issues before the organization and facilitate agreement upon them among the governments and generally ensure that the organization functioned effectively in the fields of its competence. Furthermore, I believe there would be a very favorable public reaction to such an appointment. The definition of the functions of such a post is of course a matter for the members of the OEEC to determine. I am confident, however, that, if agreement can be reached in principle on the selection of Spaak, detailed arrangements satisfactory both to the key ministers on the Council and him can be satisfactorily arranged. I would regard the accomplishment of this step under the leadership of yourself and Sir Stafford Cripps as a significant further contribution to Western European solidarity to be added to the many you both have already made.”
Since Spaak is due in Lond to see Cripps about Oct 14 it is urgent that this message be delivered to Bevin as soon as possible.
- Julius C. Holmes, Counselor of Embassy with rank of Minister Plenipotentiary.↩