plans for world domination, I am certain that they will not be bale to resist advancing into any vacuum we may leave. Your proposal would involve leading from weakness. Our economic and military position is now as bad as it ever will be. When we have consolidated our economy, when the economic revival of Europe which you mention has made progress, when it has become finally clear to the Russians that they cannot drive a wedge between the Americans and ourselves, we shall be in a position to negotiate with Stalin from strength. There is no hurry. Everything suggests that the Russians are now drawing in their horns and have no immediate aggressive intentions. Let us wait until our strength is restored, and let us meanwhile, with American help as necessary hold on to essential positions and concentrate on building up U.N.O. (Sd.) ERNEST BEVIN [TNA, FO 800/476] Keywords: post-war Middle East, Iran, United Nations, inter-allied relations, post-war Germany, post-war Asia
plans for world domination, I am certain that they will not be bale to resist advancing into any vacuum we may leave. Your proposal would involve leading from weakness. Our economic and military position is now as bad as it ever will be. When we have consolidated our economy, when the economic revival of Europe which you mention has made progress, when it has become finally clear to the Russians that they cannot drive a wedge between the Americans and ourselves, we shall be in a position to negotiate with Stalin from strength. There is no hurry. Everything suggests that the Russians are now drawing in their horns and have no immediate aggressive intentions. Let us wait until our strength is restored, and let us meanwhile, with American help as necessary hold on to essential positions and concentrate on building up U.N.O. (Sd.) ERNEST BEVIN [TNA, FO 800/476] Keywords: post-war Middle East, Iran, United Nations, inter-allied relations, post-war Germany, post-war Asia
1947-01-09-Bevin-memorandum-to-Attlee.docx