740.00119 Council/5–2448: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
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2228. For Marshall and Lovett from Douglas. Had a long discussion this morning, first with Strang and later with Bevin in Strang’s presence. The French position was reviewed in considerable detail.
Bevin’s program consists of the following four points:
- 1.
- He will see Massigli today so as not to give the impression of going around him.
- 2.
- He will send a personal not a formal communication to Bidault in which he will say that he hopes the French will not place him in a position where he will find it necessary to proceed with the US in the bizonal area; that he much prefers to move forward with the three govts together.
- 3.
- The meetings in London should be pushed to a successful conclusion.
- 4.
- He will not agree to a meeting on a ministerial level at the present time. He feels that such a meeting would be a definitive substitute for the Council of Foreign Ministers, would be a most provocative act, would tend to freeze positions and would not provide the same opportunity for face-saving proposals that discussions at the present level provide.
In order to avoid the impression that the conference has been suspended, there will be an informal meeting of the heads of the three delegations this afternoon.
Sent Department as 2228, repeated Paris (for Caffery) 228, repeated USPolAd Berlin (for Murphy and Clay) 141.