You told me before leaving that Bull¹⁴ had spoken to you about the possibility that our NATO Mission might pick up the responsibility for Canadian representation on COCOM. Bull had explained his staff problems. The feeling was expressed that Guy Smith¹⁵ (and perhaps myself) might take some responsibility in this matter. The question again came up as a result of recent visit to Ottawa of United States officials concerned with export controls who urged strengthening of our COCOM representation (on the assumption we would support U.S. policies).

2. I doubt that we need to have very strong representation on COCOM. Indeed it might be embarrassing. I sense a growing feeling here that the United States has been pressing too strongly the restriction of east-west trade. Further divisions between Canadian and American export policy might emerge in relation to Japanese exports to China. If we are going to differ from United States on these matters the place to make our views known would seem to be Washington rather than Paris. As far as administration on export controls goes we must, as you know, follow American practices pretty closely if we are to avoid controls at the Canada-US border.

3. My own feeling is that our representation and coverage in COCOM has been reasonably adequate for Canadian purposes. I do not find in Ottawa any strong desire for more detailed coverage.

4. Bull agrees that the question of Canadian representation on COCOM can best be settled by the Canadian Missions concerned in Paris and we would appreciate a recommendation. You may wish to keep in mind the fact that representation at COCOM apparently involves attendance at quite a large number of routine meetings concerned with highly detailed commodity questions. I would have thought that these meetings could best be covered by a Trade officer, but I doubt that a person as senior and as busy as Guy Smith is likely to be should give the necessary time, and I doubt that there is anyone else on our NATO Mission who would be competent or available to do the work. Gill¹⁶ agrees with me that it would scarcely be appropriate to send an officer from this Department specially for the purpose.