740.5/7–3150: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
Depto 26. No distribution except as directed by Secretary’s office. Alphand sent me over weekend what he described as résumé of French Government’s views which he had given me July 27 [28] (Depto 18) but which is considerably more specific on various French ideas. Rough translation given my immediately following telegram. French text being mailed Perkins. See also paragraph 7 Todep 12.1
Bruce will be better able than I to estimate how seriously French Government takes these sweeping demands of Alphand’s. My initial reaction is to consider them maximum French demands on various subjects which will have to be dealt with in orderly manner by various NATO agencies rather than by tripartite meeting. Alphand recognized Indochina not within NATO competence but stated he wished me to know French thinking on it as relevant to their position here. I shall of course avoid discussing it.
Sent Department Depto 26; repeated Paris 173 Ambassador’s eyes only.
- July 27, not printed. Paragraph 7, in raising some question as to whether the French proposal for a financial pool would solve the basic problems, requested details on the proposal and the views of Spofford and other governments concerning it. (740.5/7–2750)↩