Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 May 31, 1949 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 NARS, Date 11-13-to 1 By NLT- HC SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS FOREIGN MINISTERS Secretary Acheson comments that Vyshinski's flat rejection of the tripartite proposal for German unity based on the Bonn constitution confirms the belief that the USSR is not now interested in German unification, but is aiming at a modus vivendi primarily with a view to increasing east-west trade. This view has been confirmed by a Pravda correspondent who, in a conversation with a "thoroughly reliable" US correspondent, stated that the chief objective of the USSR at this conference is to obtain the freest possible trade between the eastern and the western zones of Germany. The Pravda corre- spondent said that the USSR does not believe possible or desire political unification of Germany, favoring the status quo in the political sphere. The discussion is expected to move to the next item on the agenda--Berlin- in a day or two. ITALIAN COLONIES In a discussion with the Secretary on Cyrenaica, Bevin said that he has drawn up a statement to be made by the British administrator of Cyrenaica expressing the UK's wish to take all possible steps to promote the Cyrenaican desire for indepen- dence. The statement will add that the UK will set up a Cyrenaican govern- ment for internal affairs and will recognize the Emir as its head, and that nothing will be done to prejudice the unity of Libya. SAUDI ARABIA We have instructed Embassy Jidda to inform Ibn Saud that in planning the military assistance program Saudi needs have been given careful consideration, and that under the program as being proposed to Congress Saudi Arabia would be eligible to obtain US assistance in procurement of military equipment on a cash reimbursable basis. The Embassy is to state to the King that Saudi Arabia is the only Arab state listed for assistance under this program. The Embassy may also say that the Department is willing to request the National Military Establishment to assign a special group of officers to make an overall study of Saudi defense needs and recommendations for the organization of Saudi defense forces, and to consider US requirements at Dhahran air base for the pur- post of a long-term agreement. When appropriate we would also be willing to request the permission of the UN mediator to ship equipment for the training of defensive forces needed for internal security. In view of these factors, we hope it will be possible to reach an early agreement on a one-year extension of the Dhahran agreement. I D