316. Memorandum From the Assistant Director for Policy Coordination, Central Intelligence Agency (Wisner) to Mr. Miller of His Staff0
SUBJECT
- Conversation with Mr. Averell Harriman
1. In my conversation of recent date with Mr. Harriman (which took place immediately following your talk with him) he made a number of points which I considered to be worth recording, and I believe that the appropriate members of your staff should know about it.
[2 paragraphs (19–1/2 lines of source text) not declassified]
4. Mr. Harriman expressed concern about the American position at the moment in the cold war and strongly emphasized the fact that it is essential for this Government to recapture the peace mantle from the Russians. The emphasis in official statements of all kinds as well as our unofficial activities should be concentrated on the theme “Peace–Peace–Peace” even though we get tired of hearing ourselves say it. He does not feel that the situation in France at the moment is quite as serious as reported by Mr. Bruce, although he does acknowledge that unless we can change our apparent position, it may become so. He considers that it would be difficult to overcome the pacifism and neutrality of the editors of Le Monde by any ordinary efforts. He stated that Messrs. Bruce and Bohlen have been working on certain of these people, but without noticeable success. [2–1/2 lines of source text not declassified]