Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 2

762.022/10–2254: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State ¹

secret
priority

Paris, October 22, 1954—1 a.m.

1691. At Mendes’s request, Parodi has just given British Embassy and ourselves following account of state of Saar negotiations:

Despite apparently conciliatory German attitude on Tuesday, Adenauer’s position following his talk with political leaders yesterday morning hardened all along the line, principally on three points. The first was that he was no longer prepared to speak of Saar “statute” but only of “reglement”, a much weaker word denoting temporary arrangement subject to change at any time. Second, was German insistence on Landtag elections as substitute for referendum. Third, was German rejection of French proposals for increased German-Saar trade and insistence on measures to expedite German participation in management of mines, banks, and insurance companies with view to developing German-Saar relationship approximating present French-Saar relationship. He concluded that Adenauer this morning indicated reluctance even to discuss the Saar further.

We are seeking German version.² French Cabinet is meeting at noon on Saar. Eden is lunching with Mendes and is having Mendes and Adenauer for dinner this evening.

Dillon

1. Repeated to London and Bonn.
2. In telegram 1696 from Paris, Oct. 22, Dillon informed the Department of State that Blankenhorn generally confirmed the account given by Parodi. Dillon noted that while Adenauer did not attach too much importance to the Saar Agreement being reached immediately, Mendès-France told the French press that he would sign nothing unless the Saar accord was reached. (762.022/10–2254)