~epartment ofStafl 
G0NPIBENTIM:. ~ 
Control: 8482 
Rec'd: June 9, 1964 ~4 
1:53
FROM: Prague p.m. MLt 4'., ~~ • ACTION: Secstate 1027 ~tc/· 
e~~/"D
DATE: June 9~ 4 p.m. 
FOR UNDER SECRETARY HARRIMA1t~ 
Because of its relevance to development of overall policy in 
eastern Europe, I hope you saw Embassy telegram 957 of May 23 
and that, if ~roposed US-Czech agreement has not already reached 
Secretary for decision, you will help get it Fhere. 
Negotiation was started in 1955 and after many delays a "statement 
of principles" was concluded in December 1961. betwee~ US and Czech Governments. This set out in detail main provisions of proposed agreement and all that was then thought necessary was to put it 
into final language. When I had usual briefing in December 1962 before coming to post, it appeared that conclusion of agreement was matter of few weeks. Now, 18 months later, we seem to be little nearer its implementation. This Embassy has done its partof negotiation promptly and I think effectively. CZ'eebs them­selves have been responsible for some of delays'and so have French and British (whose concurrence is required for release of Czech gold held by Tripartite Commission in Brussels) but our own record in Washington has been desultory. Repeatedly, weeks have 1M4Ssed into months as other matters presumably take·p•ecedence and action on pending aspects of this ttegotiatiot. has been pestponed
shelved.