Editorial Note
In conformity with paragraph 9 of the secret United States–United Kingdom minute on Germany and EDC of June 28 (page 988), telegram 7171 to London, June 29, reported that Cecil Lyon, John Raymond, and Jacques Reinstein planned to arrive in London on July 4 in order to commence work July 5 with British officials on the legal, procedural, and chronological aspects of the program outlined in the minute (740.5/6–2954). Telegram 37 from London, July 2, reported that in response to inquiries concerning the “EDC contractual talks here next week”, the Foreign Office “is stating that meeting is technical level discussion stemming from Washington conversations which is to consider details of various hypothetical situations but not draft agreement on specific steps to be taken now. Foreign Office also expects informally give French Embassy here appropriate reassurances” (740.5/7–254).
This United States–United Kingdom Working Group met July 5 to 12 and after the first two meetings, July 5 to 6, had drafted papers dealing with (1) a chronological program for implementation of Anglo-American policy; (2) two protocols for use in the event France prepared to join in a proposed four-power action to place contractual relations with the Federal Republic of Germany into immediate effect; (3) a paper on political concessions by the three powers to the Federal Republic without conclusion of four-power protocols (telegram 75 from London, July 7). Thereafter, the American delegation to the London Working Group exchanged a series of telegrams with the Department of State transmitting, clarifying, and modifying draft texts of the various papers written by the Working Group. The file of telegrams exchanged between Washington and London is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 343. The final report of the Working Group, dated July 12, is printed infra.