740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–1349: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt
3309.1 According to telegram 64 Dec 9 from Bonn, rptd London 36, Paris 33,2 Germans are displaying greater reluctance to join Ruhr Authority than seems consistent with Petersberg Agreement.3 As we understand situation, Adenauer agrees Federal Republic shld become member IAR, but he opposes explicit statement assumption of responsibilities by Ger Govt. However, lack of explicit statement wld provide basis for continuing future disagreement between Ger and signatory powers, and wld also create damaging precedent in connection Ger membership other international bodies. For example, future Ger govt [Page 503] might maintain it was not obligated carry out distasteful responsibilities regardless of what Adenauer’s own intentions may have been.
From here Dept cannot judge Adenauer’s intentions, but feels that his counter suggestion in Bonn’s 64 does not conform with requirements of Ruhr Agreement, because it does not constitute assumption of responsibilities by Ger Govt under either Article 9(c) or Article 31. Adenauer’s proposal does not appear to us genuine compliance with his Petersberg commitment, because although Fed Rep has applied for membership in IAR, it is refusing to take the step which wld qualify it to be a member. Dept does not wish to be unduly technical about precise language Gers shld use, but agrees fully with your statement that obligations must be assumed “by definitive expression” rather than “by implication.” Intend this message to clarify basis Dept thinking for use HICOG and USDel IAR in further developments this subject.
Dept comments on procedural technicalities for joining IAR will follow in separate telegram.4 HICOG pls repeat to USDel IAR.