751.00/11–2045
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
| Participants: | The Secretary of State |
| Couve de Murville, Political Director of the French Foreign Office |
Mr. de Murville called to see the Secretary at 11:30 a.m. They discussed briefly the trouble de Gaulle is having in forming his Cabinet and the Secretary said he understood how difficult it would be to find an appropriate post for the head of the opposition party.
The Secretary inquired about Mr. Bidault and told Mr. de Murville of his high regard for him, stating he is courageous, intelligent and energetic. The Secretary asked to be remembered to him.
The Secretary mentioned the Council of Foreign Ministers and said that it did not look as though the Council would meet again soon, but that we are still in touch with the Russians on the principal issues and there is still hope for compromise.
The situation in Germany was brought up and Mr. de Murville said that was the very thing he wishes to discuss. The Secretary said the U.S. had agreed to go ahead with the currency, transportation and administrative systems and he did not want to be in the position of not fulfilling our agreement. The Secretary said he expected to communicate with the British and Russian Governments to advise them that the French did not feel they could go along, and express the willingness of the U.S. to go along and install the plan in the other three zones if they wish to.
The Secretary mentioned reparations and said he was not fully informed on this, but it was his recollection that the Commission was to have started its work by Dec. 15th. Mr. de Murville said the work was already under way and that the Soviets have already been given many plants—the Krupp and some others. The Secretary remarked that this is probably all they can move anyway, and that we have had no complaint about reparations.
With regard to restitution,69 Mr. de Murville said France would want what was taken in France, but did not object to what was being given to other countries.
Mr. de Murville outlined to the Secretary the French proposal for Western Germany—which he said he had discussed fully with Mr. Dunn—and expressed the view that the French disliked having the Russian influence so near to the French frontier. If the decision reached at Potsdam with regard to control of Germany is carried out, it will prejudice the future chances of changing later on to a plan more [Page 908] agreeable to the French. Mr. de Murville mentioned that the French had received no counter-proposal to their proposal and urged that the Secretary give their plan consideration.
The Secretary said he would talk with Mr. Dunn about it, that he is willing to go into it to see if it is feasible and give him an answer.
- For documentation on this subject, see pp. 1169 ff.↩