740.5/12–650: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
niact
[Received 6:05 p. m.]
Depto 281. For Perkins from Spofford. At Dixon’s request Holmes and I met with Dixon, Hoyer-Millar and Shuckburgh this afternoon at the FonOff.
After reviewing the changes in the French position during the past week Dixon said that they had received the text of the letter which we proposed to send to the French;1 that they had not had an opportunity fully to consider it and since it raised very important “new” questions they would be unable to agree finally on the paper in the deputies this afternoon if this letter were a part of our negotiation with the French. Also since the President and the Prime Minister were meeting today the British did not feel that the deputies should take decision on the German question before the results of these talks were known. Dixon said the British would require a few days time to consider the matter further, mentioning next Monday. Holmes and I pointed out that the French letter was based upon the letter of the Secretary to Schuman,2 of which they were given a copy last week [Page 527] and which merely restated our position, which was well known to rail; that the only new elements in the draft letter were the definite statement that we would send observers and that the letter should be made public at an appropriate time. They may have been under the impression that the letter was to be made public immediately, but I reassured them as to my instructions on this. We took position that the delay proposed by them would be very serious, involving the further postponement of the MilCom and ministerial meetings, but that in view of the talks in Washington I would not press for a final decision this afternoon. Hoyer-Millar appeared to feel that they would work out their problem in another twenty-four hours. I asked them whether apart from any questions raised by the letter they were satisfied with the deputies’ paper, as to which Dixon replied in the affirmative.3
- Transmitted in telegram 3097, December 5, p. 523.↩
- For the text of this letter, see telegram 2987, November 29, p. 496.↩
- On December 6 the Department of State cabled Spofford that it was deeply concerned by the possibility of postponement since further delay might put the final decision over into 1951. Postponement had been discussed in the meetings between President Truman and Prime Minister Attlee who recognized the importance of it. Telegram 2934 to London, not printed (740.5/12–650).↩