journal of european integration history revue d'histoire de l ...

114
Juhana Aunesluoma
man markets were also becoming more and more lucrative in particular for Danish agricultural
products that had previously flowed to Britain, often on prices that irritated
Danish producers. As West Germany's participation in any Uniscan arrangements was
considered early on politically impossible in London, this proved to be a difficult stumbling
bloc for the Danes and the Swedes. 35
Changes took place on the Atlantic front too as it became evident that US insistence
on Britain's participation in regional trade groups was relaxing already in
1950. Further, as the European ground shifted in the spring of 1950 with the announcement
of the Schuman plan, such a limited approach as was typified by Uniscan
had far less sales value as an example of British steps towards integration from
a Congressional or ECA point of view than was anticipated in 1949. In trade liberalisation
and payments questions the most important arena was the OEEC, where
both the British and the Scandinavians had been ever less enthusiastic to follow the
Franco-American lead. The American views had at first been rather positive towards
Cripps's more ambitious plans about co-operation with the Scandinavians,
but the realisation of the economic difficulties that were ahead quickly distinguished
much of the flair of enthusiasm in Washington. 36
The negotiations between the British and the Scandinavian governments ended
in an agreement in January 1950 that the present economic circumstances did not
allow the complete removal of all restrictions on payments between the four countries,
but that there was scope for more limited action, which should be studied further.
The practical meaning of this was that tourist allowances were increased without
limit, with certain restrictions with Norway – the Scandinavian country,
ironically enough, that had been most eager to develop its economic and political
relations with Britain in the first place. 37 The declaration setting up the Anglo-Scandinavian
Economic Committee was signed in Paris on 30 January 1950,
four months before the Schuman Plan, when Cripps and the Scandinavian foreign
ministers approved the officials' report. 38 On 31 January the Council of the OEEC
was formally informed about its establishment and about the first steps towards
payments relaxation within the group. 39
35. British officials had at first aired a wider plan covering the Uniscan countries, Netherlands and
West Germany in November 1949, but this was shelved in December for its potential to bring
about unwelcomed political consequences, such as appearing to sabotage the Benelux or the
Fritalux negotiations. Berthoud to Hitchman (T), 9 November 1949, FO 371/78136; J. B. Richards
minute (German political dept.), 2 December 1949, FO 371/78136; Duke minute, 15 December
1949, FO 371/78136, PRO.
36. Sir Oliver Franks telegram no.5739 to FO, 9 December 1949, FO 371/78138; Christelow to Playfair,
13 December 1949, FO 371/78139, PRO.
37. I. SOGNER, The European Idea …, op.cit., pp.307-327; K. E. ERIKSEN and H. Ø. PHARO, Kald
krig of internasjonalisering …, op.cit., p.143.
38. Report by Officials, 21 January 1950, FO 371/87087; Agreed Minute, 30 January 1950, FO 371/
87088, PRO.
39. Report by the Uniscan countries to the Council of OEEC, 'Further measures of co-operation: Anglo-Scandinavian
Arrangements', 31 January 1950, C(50)41, microform 049, OEEC Archives,
Historical Archives of the European Communities, Florence.