740.5/6–2354: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
Edcol 128. Limit distribution. Ref Coled 285.2 Subject to comments below Department endorses Spaak’s plan outlined reference cable and believes he should be encouraged proceed. We intend seek British concurrence in this plan at forthcoming meeting Washington.
In light Spaak’s view that first meeting should be confined four EDC countries, concur in holding this meeting without US and UK participation. There is logic in confining first meeting to EDC countries only since meeting called under Article 132 and will be confined to a final effort on EDC. However we question advisability inviting French and Italian observers to attend and also consider it likely they might refuse to attend if invited. Consider warning to French and Italian Governments might be more effective if delivered after restricted meeting. Also like to suggest that warning include reference to need for second broader meeting with US and UK if EDC not approved before summer recess. We note Spaak is apparently thinking in terms only of private warnings to French and Italian Governments. Would appreciate clarification this point.
Following are comments on substance of warning itself contained paragraph 3. Assume statement in sub-paragraph b that no new negotiations possible until after French Assembly has voted on Treaty is not intended be invitation to procedure Mendes-France is contemplating, i.e., approval of Treaty by Assembly provided certain changes made which are to be subsequently negotiated with other EDC countries. We would prefer omission reference at this time to full German membership in NATO indicated sub-paragraph C, since mention of a specific alternative is likely to play into hands of those seeking delay as indicated Coled 283.3
- Drafted by Fessenden; cleared by Lyon, Jones of WE, Merchant, and MacArthur; approved for transmission by Dulles; sent also to Brussels, London, Bonn, and The Hague.↩
- Dated June 21, p. 976.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 4, supra. In telegram Coled 288 from Paris, June 23, Bruce reported that “At meeting held on Spaak’s initiative in Luxembourg last night, three Benelux Foreign Ministers agreed to issue joint Benelux invitation to meeting of six signatories to EDC treaty. Spaak expects meeting to take place next week. Spaak will call in Ambassadors this afternoon and inform them of this proposal. He is also considering possibility of issuing direct invitation tomorrow to governments presumably because this would permit him to make public statement with regard to purpose of meeting” (740.5/6–2354). In telegram Coled 289 from Paris, June 23, Bruce transmitted the text of the memorandum which Spaak had dispatched to the Luxembourg and Netherlands Foreign Ministers which was accepted by them as the basis for the meeting of June 22. This memorandum stressed American uneasiness and impatience as well as recent developments in France as the basic reasons why early action to secure French ratification of EDC had become imperative (740.5/6–2354). In telegram Coled 291 from Paris, June 24, Bruce stated: “De Staercke informs us five EDC countries have accepted invitations for meeting next week; France has not replied” (740.5/6–2454).↩