Telegram to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

TELEGRAM Department of State DUPLICATE IN W. P. FILE TELEGRAPH BRANCH 6-H-X TOP SECRET A Control: 12543 EUR FROM: London Rec'd: November 283 1950 2:52 a.m. lafe DECLASSIFIED SS TO: Secretary of State G Authority NLT- 85-35 P NO: 3100, November 27, 8 p.m. L By DES Date GER FE SENT DEPARTMENT 3100, REPEATED INFORMATION PARIS 1014, UNA MOSCOW 109, FRANKFORT 463. DCR 1. I saw Bevin and Pierson this afternoon and after summarizing US views set forth DEPTEL 2726, November 23, furnished them copy text proposed reply Soviet note con- tained DEPTEL 2744, November 24. 2. Bevin expressed personal view that Soviet extremely anxious for another CFM and therefore any reply short of direct turndown would be acceptable to them. He felt, however, that US suggested reply would, leave door open for them to propose Ministers consider host of extraneous issues such as reparations. Furthermore, language em- ployed in US draft re Korea would give Soviet opportunity to reiterate charge of US intervention. In circumstances he considered that greatest care should be exercised in drafting joint reply at forthcoming tripartite meeting in order to avoid any pitfalls. 3. Bevin was obviously preoccupied with forthcoming debate on foreign affairs. He had prepared a statement which he proposes to make and which is being cabled to Department tonight to obtain Secretary's concurrence. The statement is vaguer and milder in tone than Bevin's expression of intent to me on Saturday (EMBTEL 3077, November 25). I believe you will not find it difficult to agree. is also sending text to Schuman. 4. Bevin obviously looks forward to a rough time in House Wednesday and Thursday and is doing everything he can to preclude criticism by his initial statement. This is directed particularly at his own party where a good bit of uncertainty and some lack of confidence has been expressed as previously reported by Embassy. Bevin repeated the hope that he would be able to carry a majority of his own party adding that he hoped he would not have to rely on Tory votes not to fall". 5. In addition to text shown me Bevin said that he would like to make a clear-cut positive statement that three powers are REPRODUCTION OF THIS 59 TOP SECRET ESSAGE IS PROHIBITED