Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Western Europe, Volume IV

840.50 Recovery/8–449: Telegram

The Chargé in Belgium (Millard) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

Brussels, August 4, 1949—5 p. m.

1081. 1. ReEmbtel 1077 August 3.¹ Spaak confirmed to me his desire accept post Director General OEEC. He said that aside from unsolved royal question, liberal proposal of tax reduction when Belgium will have to find an additional 8–15 billion francs, will inevitably lead to great internal political difficulties. Spaak thought that for years or more Belgium will have to pass through period in which weak governments will form and fall somewhat similar to that which recently took place in France. Spaak’s further reference to political situation being reported separately.

2. I said if Socialists joined coalition, he, as Foreign Minister, could still give leadership to OEEC and continue his leadership in other very important international affairs. He replied that even if he has choice between remaining as Foreign Minister or accepting post Director General OEEC, he would take latter since he foresees that as Foreign Minister he would be dragged into numerous internal political squabbles with which he has no sympathy. He mentioned that as President of OEEC he was handicapped because he was also representative of Belgium. He felt he could do more useful work in an international capacity.

3. I told Spaak I had no idea of views of Hoffman and Harriman on his suggestion and having in mind Paris Repto 5523 August 2,² I asked whether Spaak thought, purely from standpoint of OEEC, this was time to make such change. He repeated his previous remarks that OEEC had made no progress, particularly in important points of foreign investments, healthy currencies and reduction trade barriers, and it would be easy to make case for necessity of altering organization of OEEC which clearly had retrogressed. He thought he could do more good on OEEC than in Belgium. He virtually indicated that he would accept post right now in middle of crisis not waiting for his party to go into opposition.³ He said British might oppose his appointment “as they did last time” as their present tactics seemed to be to delay action until Bevin and Cripps can go to Washington in September.

4. In brief, Spaak is thoroughly fed up with haggling with politicians of small stature, and it perfectly clear that he wants a post of importance and dignity where he will be freed from opprobrium which they will suffer owing to anticipated internal difficulties.

5. I remarked these difficulties would be augmented by his absence from political scene even should his party be in opposition. He made no comment. I asked, should his suggestion work out, how long he contemplated remaining out of Belgian politics. He thought a year or more—as long as necessary to accomplish task in OEEC—adding that “if they need me in Belgium, they can call me back”.

6. Clearly Spaak feels that his political future would be improved should he leave country now and is, I am sure, quite sincere in feeling he would do useful work as Director General of OEEC.

7. Would be grateful Department’s views.

Sent Department 1081, repeated Paris for Bonsal 191.

Millard

1. Not printed.
2. Not found in Department of State files.
3. On August 11, Millard reported in airgram A–670 from Brussels, not printed, that the Belgian Socialist Party was in opposition to the government formed August 10 and that Spaak, no longer a cabinet minister, would automatically be stepping down from chairmanship of the OEEC (840.50 Recovery/8–1149)