Repeat Washington EX 1527.

Following from Heeney, Begins: Commonwealth Consultative Committee. Our No. 1278 of September 2, 1950. ?

1. The Interdepartmental Committee approved, with one minor amendment, the draft instructions^? to the Canadian delegation and these will now go forward for Cabinet approval. The amendment is in the last sentence of the first paragraph. The words "work of are replaced by "problems confronted by".

2. The Committee was much concerned about the general trend of Commonwealth plans for assistance in South and Southeast Asia. These were laid many months ago under conditions very different from those of today. They depend heavily on the willingness of the United States to participate. Yet it is very doubtful how far Congress will go under present conditions to finance Asian development and doubly doubtful whether it will be willing to provide assistance to the area through machinery set up under Commonwealth auspices. The possibility of a continuation of the Marshall Plan raises new issues, particularly since the urgent need for direct United States assistance in the area was partly predicated on the termination of the existing plan, and the resulting inability of the United Kingdom and other European countries to continue their own assistance in the area. Further misgivings are aroused by accumulating evidence that the countries in the area are themselves reluctant to participate in the scheme.

3. There seems to be a real danger that the London meetings may end in failure and disillusionment. Under present conditions in Asia this might have very unfortunate and far reaching results.

4. The Interdepartmental Committee suggested that Mr. Pearson might take advantage of the North Atlantic Council Meeting in New York this month to discuss this situation with Mr. Acheson and Mr. Bevin. I understand from Mr. Pearson that he is willing to do so. The subject might also be discussed with Mr. Spender who, I understand, will be in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

5. Meanwhile I would be grateful to have your comments and suggestions.

6. We have already asked our Embassy in Washington to explore United States attitude, or attitudes, but as we anticipated they are not finding this easy.

For Washington Only

7. The draft instructions referred to in paragraph 1 above are transmitted in my immediately following teletype. ? Ends.

¹³ Voir le document 376./See Document 376.