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Volume 7 1941~1945

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No. 487  NAI DT S13562A

Memorandum by Eamon de Valera 'Directives for the Delegation to the International Aviation Conference'

DUBLIN, 13 October 1944

  1. In view of the present trends of international policy, the Delegation should be guided by the following political principles:-
    • No agreement, however advantageous it may appear in the commercial sphere, can be entered into if either now or in the future it is likely to create a situation in which our political freedom might suffer diminution. In any doubtful case of this character no commitment should be entered into without prior reference to the Government.1
    • As between the United States and Britain, where their interests should seem to clash and where our interests do not seem immediately to be involved, non-discrimination seems to be the better policy. The delegation should be careful to avoid any appearance of being aligned with the British delegation lest it should be thought that they are not a free agent in deciding on any matter that may come before the Conference but should, on the other hand, be equally careful to avoid appearing to oppose the British merely for the sake of opposing them. In regard to every question in which our own interests are involved these should, of course, be the paramount consideration. Where our own interests are not involved our attitude should be determined by the delegation's estimate of the merits of the question, regard being had to the direction in the second sentence of this paragraph.
    • The Ottawa Agreement of 19352 should not be regarded as being necessarily a right guide to policy on this occasion. It would in fact be well to use this opportunity to make it clear that, in view of Canada's recent attitude towards that Agreement and the fact that effect has not been given to it over the period of years since it was made, the Agreement is no longer operative. At the present moment it is a matter of doubt and should be the subject of careful consideration whether even substantial British concessions in regard to operational advantages would, in the long run, compensate for the loss of complete freedom of control.
  2. . It is, of course, understood that any agreements entered into between the delegations will be merely recommendations for the consideration of their respective Governments. At the same time it would be well, apart from the matters referred to in paragraph 1 (a) above, for the delegation to seek governmental instructions where practicable on any matter in which they may be in doubt, so as to avoid the possibility of the delegation committing themselves to recommendations which would have to be rejected ultimately by the Government.
  3. Subject to the foregoing, the following detailed instructions are to be observed by the delegation:-
    • Every effort should be made by the delegation to have the Shannon Airport included on the main transatlantic air route and on a basis involving the maximum traffic thereat.

    • No objection should be made to the new principle of rights of transit and non-traffic stops without prior authorisation.

    • The right of an Irish company to operate over the Atlantic should be reserved. It should be noted, however, as to the exercise of this right and the participation of this country in airline operation either transatlantic or connecting service, no new commitment involving financial liability should be entered into without further Government approval.

    • The proposal to appoint an interim council should be accepted and Irish representation thereon should be sought and the setting up of regional councils should be supported.

    • The delegation should support any substantial feeling which shows itself to retain the substance of the existing International Convention and the technical organisation set up thereunder.

    • Irish representation should be sought on the three working committees to be set up under the interim council.

    • In general the delegation should propose or support all such steps as, in their opinion, favour the development of the Shannon Airport and the possibility of Irish operations on the transatlantic main service and connecting services.

(Sgd) EAMON DE VALERA

1 A note on file by Maurice Moynihan added: 'Received from Mr Walshe D/E.A. "The delegates to the Conference shall not sign or initial any agreements even in the form of recommendations without prior explicit authorisation of the Government”.' (NAI DT S13562A, 13 Oct. 1944).

2 An agreement between the governments of Canada, the Irish Free State and Britain to establish a transatlantic air service.

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