Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

662A.00/3–3152: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State ¹

secret

London, March 31, 1952—5 p.m.

4342. Verbatim text of revised draft.²

• “1. The Govts of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France have today marked the estab of a new relationship between themselves and the FedRep of Germany thru the signature of the convention of general relations and the related conventions. These conventions and the treaties, to which France but not the United States or the United Kingdom are party, for a European defense community and a European coal and steel authority provide a new basis for uniting Europe and for association Ger with the West, whilst ensuring against any future revival of German militarism. They make possible the removal of special restraints hitherto imposed on Ger and permit the participation of the FedRep as an equal partner in Western defense.
• “2. These conventions and treaties respond to the desire to provide by united efforts for the prosperity and security of West Europe, The US and UK Govts share that desire and wish to assist in estab and maintaining measures necessary to fulfil it. They will support and cooperate with the Eur institutions estab by these treaties.
• “3. Western defense is a common enterprise in which the US and UK Govts are already partners thru their membership in NATO. They have each expressed their resolve to station such forces in Eur as may be necessary and appropriate to contribute their fair share to the joint defense of the North Atlantic area. They thus have each an abiding interest in the effectiveness of the treaty creating the Eur defense community and in the strength and continuing integrity of the community. Accordingly if any action from whatever quarters threatens the continuing integrity and unity of the community the two govts wld consider it a matter of the gravest concern to them calling for consultation under Article IV of the North Atlantic treaty in order to agree the measures to meet the situation thus created.

“Alternative para 3 proposed by the Foreign Office:

“3. Western defense is a common enterprise in which the US and the United Kingdom Govts are already partners thru their membership in NATO. Thus they have each an abiding interest in the effectiveness of the treaty creating the EDC and in the strength and continuing integrity of the community. Accordingly if any action from whatever quarter threatens the continuing integrity and unity of the community the two govts wld consider it a matter of the gravest concern to them calling for consultation under Article IV of the NAT in order to agree the measures to meet the situation thus created. Furthermore they declare their intention to maintain armed forces on the continent of Eur for such time as they deem necessary, having regard to their interest in the integrity of the EDC, their obligations under the NAT, and their special responsibilities in Ger.”

Gifford

1. Repeated to Paris and Bonn.
2. In telegram 4341, Mar. 31, from London (662A.00/3–3152), Gifford reported that the revised text of a proposed statement to be made at the time of the signing of the contractual arrangements with Germany would be transmitted in the immediately following telegram. The origins of this proposed Franco-British draft statement, which evolved into the Tripartite Declaration of May 27, 1952, cannot be determined further, but see telegram 5208 to London, Apr. 14, p. 643.