740.00119 Council/6–748: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

secret
us urgent

1973. Embtel 2998 June 5.1 Hope some member of your staff can impress upon one of De Gaulle’s close advisers importance in wider international field of approval of London agreements. British and US Govts are approving them. De Gaulle may or may not be aware of extent to which they protect French interests against resurgence of German aggression. Agreement on Ruhr international authority fulfills a long-sought desideratum of French policy. We doubt he is aware of implications for overall French security of continued resolute and united action by three Western Powers. Failure of French Govt to approve agreements would have serious repercussions on public opinion here, would offer dangerous encouragement to Soviet Govt, and would benefit no one but Communists.

Marshall
  1. Not printed; it reported that the period of the coming ten days would be the most crucial the Schuman government had faced and that the German problem was the most critical issue. It was further reported that General de Gaulle was expected soon to make a statement strongly condemning the government’s German policy. Foreign Minister Bidault was apprehensive over the effect of de Gaulle’s pronouncement. (851.00/6–548)