June 9, 1950
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION BY TELEPHONE
Participants: Ambassador Douglas Secretary Acheson
For distribution to Mr. Webb and Mr. Perkins only.
The Secretary called Mr. Douglas to discuss with him the status of planning for the appointment of the NAT Deputy. The Secretary said that he had discussed the matter in detail with Colonel Bonesteel and Julius Holmes who were in on all preparations and discussions. He said that we had drawn up a complete schedule of anything that will be affected by the appointment. He assured Ambassador Douglas that diplomatic channels would be maintained and that contacts which the Deputy had with Foreign Office officials of other governments would be through the diplomatic channel. The Secretary said that on Monday we were going to try out the man discussed with Mr. Douglas in London but that we doubted that it would work. He said that the ultimate solution was unknown. Mr. Douglas mentioned a letter that was en route to the Secretary. The Secretary promised to read it and call him back on Monday.
In closing, Mr. Douglas mentioned his feeling that there was a great necessity for a powerful backstop in Washington to the Deputy in London. Mr. Acheson agreed and said that he had had this under consideration.
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