711.56351/11–450: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Bruce ) to the Secretary of State
niact
2476. Reference Embtel 2473.1 At 4:30 this afternoon Pleven finally was able to give his attention to final texts of LOC accord. Although he had previously cleared these texts individually, he nevertheless informed Foreign Office that he desired a number of changes in the texts. He informed the Ambassador at 5:30 that he had authorized Foreign Office to sign LOC agreement without further reference to him and had furthermore instructed French military to permit LOC advance echelon to move into France without awaiting final signature.
With one exception changes desired by Pleven are of drafting and would have been accepted without reference to Washington but since [Page 1436] physical work involved precluded signature tonight, we have decided with Foreign Office to postpone signature until Monday.
Pleven insists that there should be no official announcement since he prefers to deal with question of publicity through medium of question in French Parliament which he expects to get as soon as US detachments begin to arrive. He has however agreed that we would answer press questions along line of proposed press announcement without issuing it officially and textually and referring to line of supply rather than line of communication.
Changes desired by Pleven follow:
- 1.
- He has rearranged and altered somewhat basic agreement (text immediately follows) to incorporate idea that French Government wishes to facilitate supply of US forces in Germany.
- 2.
- The only change of real substance is in termination clause which he apparently regarded in previous form still as perpetual treaty and proposes new last paragraph. We consider and EuCom representative concurs that this is entirely acceptable and indeed presents certain advantages since it assures LOC agreement for five years and its automatic renewal until six months notice is given. One other change is reference that principal movement on LOC will be by rail.
Text of new covering agreement:
Begin verbatim text: “The Government of the Republic of France and the Government of the USA considering on the one hand, that the American Government has obligations resulting from the presence of its troops in Germany and Austria, considering, on the other hand, that the French Government wishes to facilitate the supplying of the American troops in Germany, considering, finally, that the geographical position of France is such that it is situated between the US and the zones occupied by the American forces in Europe, agree to establish a line of communication from the La Pallice Bordeaux area to the German frontier, to be undertaken in accordance with the general principles set forth in the present agreement, the principal movement on this line of communication being made by railroads.
The procedures for the establishment and operation of this line of communication will be worked out by the military authorities of the two countries and, in the event of disagreements, will be referred to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the American Embassy.
This present agreement will remain in effect for a period of five years and will be renewed automatically (partacite reconduction) unless terminated by six months advance notice by one of the contracting parties.
In witness thereof, et cetera.” End verbatim text.
[Here follow other changes and a statement that, unless there was objection from Washington, the agreement was to be signed on November 6.]
Sent Department 2476, repeated information niact Heidelberg 55.
- Not printed.↩