740.5/2–1954: Telegram
The United States Observer to the Interim Committee of the European Defense Community (Bruce) to the Department of State
secret
Paris, February
19, 1954—7 p.m.
Coled 150. Restrict distribution.
- 1.
- Guy Mollet in reviewing his plans for obtaining ruling by extraordinary congress his party for disciplined vote by Socialist Deputies for affirmative vote on EDC informed Maurice Schumann that he would no longer demand that there be prior agreement by the six on [Page 878] “subordination of EDC organs to supranational political authority.” He stated he would however have to demonstrate that concrete action was being taken to bring about in near future democratic control over EDC by a directly elected European Parliament. According to our information, Mollet made concession on supranational executive in recognition of situation described in Coled 1451 and for same reason avoided any statement that Socialist Party would not vote for EDC Treaty unless it had a definite agreement on this proposal. In conversation with Monnet in Berlin Bidault stated that a “minimalist” himself he would find proposal such as this interesting and asked Monnet if he would work with Mollet in finding out precisely what Mollet and also Teitgen would accept as a minimum on European political community.
- 2.
-
Mollet still has the
precise terms of his proposal under active consideration but main
provisions of last rough draft of convention approved by Mollet are the following:
- (a)
- Next renewal of delegates to Common Assembly to take place on basis universal direct suffrage.
- (b)
- Elections in each member state to be held according to prevailing system for electing lower house in that state.
- (c)
- Number of Assembly delegates to be increased. Mollet has in mind formula recommended by Ad Hoc Assembly (Germany 63, Belgium 30, France 63 plus 7, Italy 63, Luxembourg 12, Netherlands 30).
- (d)
- Elected Common Assembly to have power of confirmation of EDC Commissariat and ability to remove high authority and Commissariat by vote of censure (apparently in manner set out Article 24 CSC Treaty and Article 36 of EDC Treaty). In event Commissariat or high authority voted out, Assembly to dissolve and new elections held.
- (e)
- Above provisions do not modify powers and responsibilities of CSC and EDC or field of competence of member states. Any new transfer of sovereignty would require approval of government and Parliament of each state.
- (f)
- Proposed convention as approved by Mollet has been carefully drafted in attempt to avoid any linking with EDC Treaty. Rough draft provides only that elections will take place within six months after ratification of convention. Convention would also make clear that this arrangement for direct elections is merely transitional and does not in any way affect or prejudge conclusions of conference on European Political Community or subsequent work that may be undertaken on basis of Article 38 of EDC Treaty.
- 3.
- Mollet obviously would like as much progress as possible on convention before he must appear before extraordinary congress. He will probably ask for signature of convention by participating nations and perhaps presentation of convention to French Parliament during debate on EDC ratification. He may, however, have to be satisfied with [Page 879] initialling by heads of delegations or even presentation of a concrete proposal by French Government to the other nations.
- 4.
- It is not clear whether abandonment by Mollet of agreement on “supranational political authority” will make it possible for French Government to agree on the convention as proposed by Mollet, nor is it clear that Laniel and Bidault will wish to take such a new initiative in the development of the European integration policy at this time. Furthermore, strong initial resistance may be expected from Dutch and Belgians. However, this alteration of Mollet’s position is encouraging in that it offers definite prospect of cooperation between Bidault and Mollet in obtaining EDC ratification. We hope it will be possible during the next few days to ascertain views of Teitgen and Pinay as well as Bidault on precise terms of Mollet’s proposal.
- 5.
- Particular care should be taken to safeguard our knowledge of Mollet’s proposed convention. Therefore think it preferable you make no distribution this information at present to foreign posts.
Bruce