740.00119 Council/6–1048: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
us urgent
niact
2063. While Dept would regard as unfortunate any reservations in French approval of London recommendations on Germany, we are most concerned about para 5 of Foreign Affairs Committee motion (urtel 3076, June 101), according to which French Govt is to veto anything which might run counter to French reservations. Although procedure for implementation of London program was not definitively clarified at London, Douglas nevertheless made it clear that the exercise of a veto should be avoided. It is our firm belief that repeated use or threat of French veto would stultify program. Although we fully understand French preoccupation concerning a centralized German state and security, nevertheless specific inclusion of veto provision in French Govt’s acceptance of program would presumably tie hands of French negotiators in subsequent discussions and result in French intransigence on particular issues which might destroy possibility fulfillment of program as agreed. As you know whole conception of veto in international agreements has become repugnant to US public opinion as a result of Soviet abuse of veto in United Nations, CFM, and other international bodies.
Elimination veto instructions in any Assembly resolution on London program would remove most serious aspect. Please take whatever steps you consider feasible at this late date with respect to this matter.
Sent Paris as 2063; repeated to London as 2188; to Berlin as 1023.