Minute by Seán Nunan

Mr. Huston¹ and Mr. Lockling,² of the American Embassy, called on me on 31st December, 1951, to discuss the Minister’s communication of 24th December, 1951,³ addressed to the American Ambassador concerning the Mutual Society Act. Dr. Rynne and Mr. Fay were present at the conversation.

Mr. Huston said that they had cabled the gist of the communication to Washington and had now received a reply indicating that the terms of the communication were not acceptable to Washington as they did not fully meet the points raised in the suggested draft Aide-Mémoire left with the Minister by the American Ambassador on 7th December, 1951.⁴

Mr. Huston’s understanding was that, unless an agreement adhering to the purposes of the MSA in the manner set out in the American draft was signed by January 8th, 1952, no more monies would be available to us, which included the unexpended balances already appropriated, i.e., pipeline and TA funds. He said that they would be glad to sit down with us and try to arrive at some formula for a reply which would satisfy us and, at the same time, include in some manner adherence to the purposes of MSA, and that he felt sure the Ambassador would be glad to discuss the matter with the Minister, if the Minister so desired.

Mr. Huston also said that Washington felt that the reference to Partition was out of place in our communication as it was a political matter and that we knew the position of the State Department on the matter was that it would be ‘improper and unhelpful’ for them to interfere.

Mr. Huston said that the request for arms should be made in a separate Note and should give details of the arms required. They would be glad to give consideration to such a request, but subject to priority commitments already set up for their own forces, Korea, NATO, etc., which would leave us rather low on the list.