740.5/10–2950: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
niact
2264. Eyes only for Bruce—no distribution. Following résumé of Oct. 28 Defense Committee discussion re German participation Eur defense for your info only:
Moch prefaced his presentation Fr proposals by reading declaration received from his govt:
“Question of Ger military contribution to def of West Eur discussed under all its aspects by Fr. cabinet as well as by Fr powers [sic]. It clearly results from these debates that proposal of Fr govt constitutes the only method through which Ger military contribution to def West Eur can be assured being accepted by Fr public opinion.
Fr govt is convinced its proposal represents only effective way setting up within NATO framework efficient Eur def force, including Ger contribution as already indicated; to have modalities and finalization of proposal worked out in common with all participating Eur countries and with coordination NATO.”
He then drew attention to alleged weaknesses of Fr proposals which were without foundation.
- (a)
- Doubts raised as to France’s determination to contribute her maximum to common def. Moch pointed to record since Korea and claimed France’s could be safely compared with that any other country.
- (b)
- Accusation Fr proposed integrated force would be outside NATO. Moch insisted Fr proposed force would be at disposal SHAPE just like all nat’l contingents.
- (c)
- Dilatory tactics. Moch claimed that to contrary Ger units could be integrated more quickly into Fr proposed force than Ger divisions could be raised. In this connection he stressed and repeated later this would be particularly true if the US kept its promise not to divert equip to Gers with result Ger divisions could only be equipped after those of Allies.
- (d)
- Permanent discrimination against Ger. Although pointing to fact France would be amply justified in so doing, Moch contested [Page 416] this charge by saying that after transition phase all Eur forces excepting for non-NATO purposes would find themselves integrated into single Eur army.
While claiming he did not wish to be obliged take position “today” on principle Ger divisions and of central fed Ger agency, Moch went on to say that for political, psychological and military reasons France was obliged to “oppose totally” the creation of Ger divisions and of fed agency which wld unavoidably lead to camouflaged Ger general staff and Ger Army.
Moch referred to differences between Fr proposed Eur Army and that under US plan:
US plan nat’l divisions would merely be juxtaposed under single command and force would be only more or less standardized. Instead Eur army would have a true Eur character and would be tied to a new organization of Eur, really promoting united Eur. Thereafter Eur army would be integrated with US and other contingents. Fr proposal has advantage starting experiment on small realistic scale but doing so as soon as possible. The scale to be defined by mil experts.
Moch then emphasized three “conditions precedent” set by Pleven.
- 1.
- Signature of pact covering Schuman Plan, “which normally should take place in few days”. This step essential to “internationalize defense raw materials”. If Fr intend to be dilatory subordination would be to ratification instead of to signature.
- 2.
- There must be political basis to Eur army. Again Moch said that had Fr wished to obstruct progress, she would have asked for full fed Eur govt but instead was only insisting on creation of Eur def mins responsible to nat’l Eur Def Mins, to the govts of Eur countries and to nucleus of Eur Assembly.
- 3.
- Eur DefMin would be charged receiving from colleagues nat’l contingents to be merged into Eur army. He would be responsible for recruiting Ger manpower in proportions stipulated by DefMins and the budding Eur assembly. Moch then made it quite clear that in regard to Ger and vis-à-vis SHAPE the Eur DefMin wld play same role as the nat’l DefMins in regard to their nat’l forces. The Eur DefMins would use services Ger ministries labor and interior to raise required Ger manpower.
As to Eur assembly which would control Eur DefMins Moch said immaterial whether it would be present Strasbourg Council of Eur, delegation thereof or perhaps new assembly composed of delegations from nat’l parliaments. What counted he insisted was principle of political control.
Moch explained that should agreement prevail on Fr proposal Fr govt intended to convene in Paris within eight days after signature coal, steel pact, a conference of all Eur powers to which observers from American Continent would be “welcomed as friends”. This [Page 417] conference wld establish conditions for raising first contingents for Eur army.
While admitting question more within province NAT Council, Moch then advanced argument such procedure wld simplify problem dealing with Ger, particularly in view past position Allied statesmen they would not place themselves in position of soliciting Ger. This as Ger del could be invited who could be neither solicitor or offerer. Complex technical problems such as promotions, status of personnel, pay, etc. would be responsibility Eur DefMins.
First Eur army contingent limited 100,000 men with undefined proportion Gers. Thereafter size would be increased from year to year. Eventually all nat’l forces excepting those for non-NATO purposes would be merged. In concluding Moch suggested Fr proposal be considered by mixed political military committee.
Danish DefMin recognized Fr project much more far-reaching than US proposal and said it touched upon many problems vital concern to all which eventually may and shld be solved. However, he deeply regretted be compelled express grave doubt whether present is right moment for implementing Fr plan. He pointed to many complications and difficulties which had been caused by simpler US proposal and pointed out how much greater these wld be under Fr plan. He stressed important time factor and urged def NAT Eur countries be ready soon as possible. Even if technically Fr proposal would permit Ger participating just as quickly as US, he feared constitutional problem under Fr alternative would be insurmountable. Believes US proposal to be important step in right direction and one which could be implemented soon. Notwithstanding domestic Danish governmental crisis, DefMin authorized support US proposal. Danish rep pointed grave political problem in Denmark caused by Ger rearmament in view wartime occupation, etc. but said Denmark accepted in principle both the participation of Ger units in a Eur defense force and of Ger production in support of this force. Danish DefMin insisted on Danish view that NAT line of def must follow approximately the present demarcation line in Ger.
Port read statement into record accepting US proposal while recognizing risks involved. Unbalance between forces of Sovs and West such that no choice but invite Ger participation. Regarding Fr proposal, however, Portuguese nat’l sentiments so deeply rooted that Port cannot accept idea federated Eur and referred to fact Port not represented Council Europe.
In series of questions end mtg Shinwell only resulted in drawing reiterations from Moch that Fr wld only accept Ger participation on conditions that Ger rearmament cannot become risk for Eur democracies: [Page 418] no major military units, Ger units must be integrated into Eur divisions. Therefore, in no case could Fr govt associate itself with US proposal.
Def. Committee will continue discussion this subject tomorrow Oct 30.
Sent Paris for Bruce as [2264], rptd London for Douglas as [2223] and Frankfort for McCloy as [3155].