Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of Great Britain Sir Oliver Franks, and George W. Perkins

TOP SECRET s/s 4597 52 DEPARTMENT OF STATE M.A. Memorandum of Conversation 1 DATE: January 3, 1951 SUBJECT: Military Talks Between the US and the UK PARTICIPANTS: Sir Oliver Franks, British Ambassador Mr. Dean Acheson, Secretary of State Mr. George W. Perkins, Assistant Secretary of State COPIES TO: s, s/A, G, EUR (No other distribution unless directed by one of the above. ) AND 1--1493 Sir Oliver stated that he wished to take up the question of the matter of military talks between the US and the UK which had been discussed in the meetings between Prime Minister Attlee and President Truman. He said that he had information from London which indicated they were interested in this problem for two reasons. First, they felt that the talks which had been held previously with Ambassador Jessup and Sir Oliver present had been useful and they wanted, if possible, to put these talks on a more or less regular basis. Secondly, they were concerned to know about our war plans in connection wi th the use of the airfields in England which had been made available to the US forces. He asked whether it would be possible for me to take the matter up with General Marshall. I assured Sir Oliver that I would be glad to do this. FOOTNOTE BY MR. PERKINS After the meeting on raw materials Sir Oliver came up to my room and talked a little bit further about the matter of the military talks. He told me that the UK felt P-SECRET