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

851.20/12–349: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Paris, December 3, 1949—noon.

5106. For MacArthur¹ (no distribution) from Bohlen² and Galloway.³ After the general meeting this afternoon reported in our 5105,⁴ Mr. Renaud,⁵ General Cherrière’s deputy, asked us to stay behind to discuss some other aspects of the US facilities requests. He had with him a representative from the Foreign Office and Ministry of Finance. Renaud said he would wish to discuss:

1. The juridical status of American military personnel which would be on French soil when the facilities arrangements went into effect. In this connection Renaud laid considerable emphasis on the point of sovereignty and French public opinion with regard to foreign military personnel here and also in North Africa. He said that French Government was particularly anxious that there should be no appearance in North Africa of any infringement of French sovereignty.

2. The question of the financial agreement. He was told that we had no instructions or authorization to discuss these aspects of the matter at this time since the purpose of the American group here was only to examine from the technical point of view the LOC and other facilities and not to deal with these questions which would be treated subsequently in negotiations between governments. We said, however, that we would of course be glad to hear what French had to say on these points if it was clearly understood we could not negotiate or even discuss these aspects at present time.

Renaud and Foreign Office representative indicated they would propose that five-power Brussels arrangement covering the status of military personnel of one country on territory of the other be utilized to deal with the American military personnel which would be in France when these arrangements went into effect. (As you know, French will propose this five-power pact as basic for regulating status of MDAP personnel in France, a copy of which Gros took with him.)

Representative of Ministry of Finance indicated they would like to have the financial question treated in accordance with arrangement which now exists for Graves Registration Service following lapse on November 30 of previous agreement, i.e., whereby French quartermaster receives funds directly from US Army rather than making advances as heretofore.

We again repeated we were not in position to discuss any of these questions and pointed out in regard to matter of financial arrangements that until the fundamental question of division of expenses was settled between the governments, it was manifestly impossible to consider details of any arrangements at this time.

The French are obviously anxious to start negotiations on these subjects and will undoubtedly attempt to raise question again. Unless otherwise instructed we will continue to maintain position we took this afternoon, namely, that this is a matter for governmental negotiations and not for discussion here at this time in connection with teams of experts examining facilities question. We do feel, however, that in Washington a careful examination should be given to Brussels Pact on status of military personnel. If suitable, it might simplify problem here, avoid delay, and, in addition, provide a precedent for other countries from whom we are or will be requesting facilities.

Bruce

1. Douglas MacArthur, 2d, Deputy Director of the Office of European Regional Affairs, Department of State.
2. Charles E. Bohlen, Minister at Paris.
3. William J. Galloway, of the Office of European Regional Affairs.
4. Not printed.
5. Pierre J. M. Renaud, Adjunct Secretary General for French National Defense.