Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Western Europe, Volume III

840.50 Recovery/4–648: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

secret

Washington, April 10, 1948—3 p. m.

1181. Re matter presence of Germans at signing of CEEC agreement and possible statement at time of signing (Paris’ 1765, 1770¹ and 1792 to Dept, all rptd London and Berlin; and London’s 1419² to Dept, rptd Paris and Berlin):

1. After full consideration all circumstances including aide-mémoire delivered by French Apr 7³ Dept believes desirable to attempt to resolve these problems on basis that CEEC agreement will be signed on behalf of Western Zones of Germany by Military Governors or their duly authorized reps; no Germans will accompany them to the plenary session of CEEC at which signatures will be affixed and no statement of limitation with respect to the Zones will be contained either in the agreement or made orally at the time of signing. Dept of course fully supports attendance, which is understood to be generally agreed, of Germans at working meetings as part of Bizonal representation. French represent (a) last German at Quai d’ Orsay was Ribbentrop⁴ (b) they are advised demonstrations planned not only by communists but socialists and perhaps others if Germans attend plenary. Any such demonstrations would have most unfortunate effect on launching of CEEC agreement and might well have bad effects in Germany. Consideration of this matter has included careful weighing of possible bad effect in Germany since it is understood that Germans are hoping to attend plenary session but on balance present decision appears necessary.

2. Since signature will be by and on behalf of Military Governors, their signatures will necessarily be subject to the conditions attaching to their position, i.e., subject to eventual terms of any peace treaty, any international agreements relation to the occupation such as the bizonal fusion agreement. It, therefore, appears unnecessary to make any reservation or statement.

3. Appropriate provision should be made, presumably in the agreement, so that if there is a fusion of the French Zone with the Bizonal Area, there would be a single membership for the three zones.

Embassies London and Paris requested to attempt to obtain Brit and French agreement to this compromise. Sent Paris, rptd Berlin and London. Army is communicating this decision to Clay.

Lovett

1. Neither printed.
2. In telegram 1419 from London, April 7, 1948, not printed, Ambassador Douglas reported that “after giving careful consideration to the French objections, Bevin is persuaded that he should agree with the French and that only the appropriate representatives of the military government should authenticate the documents on behalf of Germany” (840.50 Recovery/4–748).
3. In the aide-mémoire, not printed, the French urged acceptance of their compromise proposal regarding the signing of the CEEC agreement. (840.50 Recovery/4–748)
4. German Foreign Minister during the Hitler era.