Office of the Historian

740.5/6–254: Telegram

The United States Observer to the Interim Committee of the European Defense Community (Bruce) to the Department of State 1

secret
Paris, June 2, 1954—6 p.m.

Coled 267. Department limit distribution strictly. Had dinner in Brussels last night with Spaak, DeStaercke and Rothschild (Spaak’s Chef de Cabinet).

Spaak thinks votes now available in French Assembly to pass EDC and that recent favorable events such as MRP and Socialist Congress and by-elections in Pas de Calais and Maine-et-Loire make it desirable and imperative for every effort be made to bring matter to vote in French Parliament soonest possible before this new impetus has spent its force.

Spaak thinks Laniel too immobile temperamentally to take such action unless hard pressed. Suggests Teitgen be given until Wednesday June 9 to get Saar agreement concluded. Meanwhile, has instructed DeStaercke to tell Alphand Belgian Government wishes dispose of protocol affair, and suggest meeting first of directing committee EDC/IC to settle procedure and then of six Foreign Ministers to affix signatures. Ministers’ meeting might provide opportunity Adenauer and Bidault or Laniel to conclude and sign Saar agreement.

If by middle of June French Government has not disposed of above two conditions and definitely fixed early date for EDC debate, Spaak proposes to communicate with Secretary on subject discussed by them in Geneva—namely what constructive action might be taken by Benelux, German, British and American Governments to bring French to their political senses.2

Bruce
  1. Repeated to Brussels eyes only for the Ambassador.↩
  2. In telegram 1200, June 5, to Brussels, Dulles stated: “We believe tactics proposed by Spaak to be used with French (Coled 267) seem sound. Therefore you should inform him we agree no outside action should be taken with French on Saar settlement until June 9. We also agree urgency settling EDC protocols problem and will be glad to discuss with him possible lines of common action if June 15 rolls around without final action on protocols or without date for French EDC debate having been set. Any indication Spaak can give you as to nature action he plans with French on June 9 in absence of Saar settlement would be helpful here” (740.5/6–254).↩