Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson and Ambassador of Great Britain Sir Oliver Franks

SECURITY INFORMATION 971 GONFIDENTIAL June 6, 1952 179 MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION CHATIONAL AND Participants: Sir Oliver Franks . the RECORDS Mr. Acheson The Ambassador called at his request. Among other things, he mentioned a matter which he asked me to consider before coming to any conclusion. He had received a telegram from Mr. Eden who said that he had discussed with Mr. Menzies the desirability of having a United Kingdom observer at meetings of the Pacific Council. The telegram mentioned three reasons why this was desirable. First, that the United Kingdom was presently engaged in common defense planning with Australia and New Zealand for the area covering those countries, Borneo, part of New Guinea and Fiji. He thought that all of these plans should be coordinated. Secondly, he believed that the Commonwealth relationship would be fortified by such procedure. Thirdly, he thought the British opinion would be much comforted and reassured by it. Mr. Eden had discussed the matter with Mr. Menzies who had expressed himself favorably and said that he would raise the question with us. I inquired whether Mr. Eden had discussed the question with representatives of New Zealand. Sir Oliver thought this had not been done, but believed that there would be no question about the New Zealand attitude. However, I pointed out that it would not be desirable for two of the countries concerned in the Council to consider this matter without participation by the third. I then asked whether it was the British idea that the observer should be present at the Council meetings or whether Mr. Eden wished the British observer at any working group or military staff talks. Sir Oliver did not know the answer to this question but DECLASSIFIED E- O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or Depr. of Stase letter, 5-12-20 Ba NLE HG NARS Date 7-16-26