C.F.M. Files: Lot M–88: Box 2084: Germany
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Central European Affairs (Riddleberger)
The Counselor of the Belgian Embassy, Mr. Goffin, left with me this morning the attached memorandum setting forth the Belgian claims to a rectification of Belgium’s frontier with Germany.75 Mr. Goffin emphasized that these requests involved a minimum amount of territory and would not lead to any population questions. He said that the total amount of territory which would be affected by the Belgian request would only amount to approximately 30 square kilometers encompassing a population of less than 4,000 persons.
With respect to economic claims, Mr. Goffin explained that it was not desired by his Government to lay before the Council of Foreign Ministers at this moment any demands which would correspond to the damage which Germany had inflicted upon Belgium. The Belgian Government would, however, ask that it be treated on the basis of the “most-favored-nations” in case other states requested economic concessions in Germany. In other words, Belgium might subsequently ask for concessions in the event that they were granted to other states which had been the victims of German aggression.
Mr. Goffin then requested me to bring to the attention of the higher officials of the Department the urgent desire of the Belgian Government that it be given more than a “hearing” when the German settlement was considered by the CFM. He said that if the territorial and economic settlements with Germany were subsequently considered by a panel of Special Deputies, his Government earnestly hoped that it would be allowed active participation and not simply be called in to present its views.
Mr. Goffin said that his Government was in complete accord with the Secretary’s proposal of establishing Special Deputies on Germany and he thought that would be the best forum for Belgian participation if it could be arranged. I said that the State Department would, of course, carefully study the rectifications which the Belgian Government had proposed and further that we recognized the legitimate [Page 1235] interest of Belgium in the German problem. I recalled, however, the statements which Mr. Acheson had recently made to the Belgian Ambassador at the time of the formal request for participation in the discussions on Germany and stated that this was not a question which could be unilaterally decided by the United States.
I asked Mr. Goffin if the attached memorandum from the Belgian Government was being circulated to the members of the CFM and he said that it was being done.
(As the Belgian memorandum is in French, CE is having a translation prepared, which will later be sent to the appropriate offices together with a set of maps.76 Please, therefore, return this memorandum to CE as the Belgian Embassy has only provided two copies of its memorandum and enclosures.)