The meeting of Experts on Soviet Policy has been proposed for October 19-21 and on Eastern Europe for October 24-26. The British representative on the Political Advisers Committee has made a suggestion that, in addition to the drafting session on Soviet policy, the experts might meet first in Paris some three or four weeks before for a general discussion. They would then return to their capÉtats, prepare drafts which would be submitted to the Secretariat for coordination insofar as this was possible, and the experts would meet again to draw up the paper. I attach copies of the relevant telegrams.

2. It seems to us that this British proposal is a most sensible one. The first session would provide an opportunity for an effective discussion on Soviet policy. It would also be an appropriate occasion, we think for urging that the final paper should take account of differing interpretations of Soviet policy, along lines set out in a personal letter to Mr. Léger which you signed after the last meeting of experts.⁶³

3. I think you will agree that we have been most effectively represented at the last two meetings of experts by Mr. Robert Ford. The one disadvantage of this practice has, however, been the fact that we have been limited for information on the discussions in Paris to written reports prepared by Mr. Ford which, while excellent, have been necessarily incomplete. On this occasion we should like to suggest an arrangement which would take account of the fact that Mr. Ford is probably our most effective representative for the meeting of experts and yet which would ensure that we have in Ottawa a greater source of information on the discussion at the meeting and privately among the experts. I recommend that an offer from Ottawa should be sent to Paris to represent us at the preliminary meeting of experts. He would then return to Ottawa, where a Canadian draft submission could be prepared. This draft would be sent to Mr. Ford for comment and for advance information. At the second and more important drafting meeting we would be represented by Mr. Ford, assisted, if this seems desirable at the time, by an officer from Ottawa.

4. I should be grateful if you could indicate whether you agree with this suggestion.⁶⁴

5. I might mention that the Departmental working group on the Sino-Soviet bloc intends to review its previous paper on Soviet foreign policy in the light of post-U-2 developments. This review should serve as a basis for the position taken by our representative at the experts meeting in Paris and for our subsequent submission to the experts group. It would also be of assistance to our delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.

HENRY F. DAVIS

⁶³Note marginale :/Marginal note:
I agree. [N.A. Robertson]

⁶⁴Note marginale :/Marginal note:
I agree. N.A. R[obertson] 16.8.60.