740.5/4–2050: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France
priority
1774. Embtel 1827, Apr 20. Fol represents our present views and are intended as guidance for any talks you may have with Fr concerning Bidault proposal.
We attach great importance to consolidating North Atlantic area through effective coordination of policy and concerted action in its execution. We are prepared to work with the countries of Western Europe toward progressively closer and more effective cooperation with respect to common problems in the political and economic as well as security fields. We are prepared to participate in and give urgent priority to study of necessary and practicable steps. We consider it urgent that Germany be effectively tied in with the West in political and economic fields in such manner that energies and potential strength of Germany be securely integrated with West and that it become clear to Germans that their own interests are best served thereby. We believe NAT, OEEC, and Council of Europe all require more vigorous development and coordination of their activities.
We do not believe in setting up new organizations merely for organization sake or unless need for such new organization is clear and its functions cld not be performed by existing agencies. We consider continuous high level coordination between Fr and UK and US of major importance but do not favor establishment of anything comparable to Standing Group in view of smaller nations susceptibilities and need for including them in concerted implementation of agreed policies. We believe such three power cooperation can effectively be achieved through intensification of contacts through existing channels.
Emphasis in our view shld be placed upon progressively closer and more effective cooperation with US as participant rather than upon questions of organization as such. At same time we are prepared to consider such organizational steps as may be clearly necessary to carry out definite functions. We recognize utility of something along lines of Bidault’s thinking both from point of view of capturing imagination in Europe and US and in facilitating effective linking of Germany with West. However, we are not clear as to whether Bidault has in mind new organizational machinery or an expansion of functions of NAT Council. We can see real problems in either alternative. Nor are we clear as to what he contemplates re specific nature of Germany’s relationship to his proposed Atlantic Council. You may accordingly encourage Fr to explore idea further but we hope they will not get themselves committed too deeply and concretely pending tripartite consideration. We wld particularly welcome their more [Page 60] specific thinking on functions, powers, and relations with existing organizations of Atlantic Council. Any propaganda advantage wld be shortlived unless scheme were solidly based.
Will advise you further as our thinking develops.
Sent Paris as 1774; rptd London as Tosec 1.