Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

320/11–351

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Special Assistant on United Nations Affairs, Bureau of European Affairs (Allen)

top secret

[Washington,] November 3, 1951.

Subject: Consultation with the French on Disarmament Proposals

Participants: M. Jean Daridan, Counselor, French Embassy
M. Henri Ruffin, First Secretary, French Embassy
Mr. John D. Hickerson, UNA
Mr. B. G. Bechhoefer, UNP (Part of conversation)
Mr. Ward P. Allen

M. Daridan stated that a telegram just received from the French Foreign Office describing the US proposals for disarmament gave the Embassy to understand that the proposals now under discussion in Paris had been worked out jointly by the Department and the UK Embassy in Washington in previous extensive discussions. This was the first information the French Embassy had received on the subject and the Embassy was very perturbed since they found themselves in an embarrassing position in not having been brought into the picture. Emphasizing that it was the concern of the Ambassador and the Embassy and not of the French Foreign Office, M. Daridan was therefore frankly seeking an explanation as to what actually had taken place.

In response, Mr. Hickerson outlined briefly the history of US study of the problem for the last two years; referred to the conversation in Paris last June among Messrs. Parodi, Davies and Jessup;¹ stated that although our studies continued during the summer we had not been in a position to take any initiative in discussing the matter with either the French or UK Governments. However, at the time of Mr. Morrison’s visit in August, UK representatives raised the subject and expressed a desire to discuss it.² Making clear that we had no governmental position or proposals and were not sure we would have, we nevertheless did accede to their request and held some informal exchanges of views with UK Embassy representatives. Following that we proceeded to complete our own studies; on October 23 the President approved the general lines on which the proposals should proceed; the paper was completed October 24 and copies were sent immediately to our Embassies in Paris and London. Thus, the UK and French Governments received the proposals simultaneously. We sought to emphasize that these proposals differed substantially from the ideas discussed informally with the UK representatives—so different in fact that, although preliminary indications of approval had been received from the French, we had as yet no information as to whether the UK would go along with them.

M. Daridan stated he had been sure there was an adequate explanation; he was grateful for it, completely satisfied and confident the Ambassador would be likewise.

In response to M. Daridan’s question as to whether the proposal was a “strategic” or “tactical” move, Mr. Hickerson explained that it was an honest tactical move. The chances of its acceptance are infinitesimal but, should it be accepted, it is in our view a fair and reasonable plan that we could live with. Turning to details M. Daridan asked about the utilization of a percentage of the population to determine the maximum number of forces, and Mr. Hickerson explained that in the first place this was governed by a reference to an over-all ceiling for any one country, and in the second place this is only one of several suggested criteria that might be considered in the course of negotiations. Mr. Hickerson then outlined the proposals in some detail as well as the timing and method of their presentation, and gave M. Daridan a copy.

In conclusion, M. Daridan reiterated his pleasure at receiving the explanation, his assurance that this removes any feeling of embarrassment the Embassy might have and, in response to Mr. Hickerson’s question, stated that it would be entirely unnecessary for Mr. Hickerson to call Ambassador Bonnet³ personally on the matter since he (Daridan) would explain it fully to the Ambassador prior to the latter’s departure on November 3.

1. Alexandre Parodi, Ernest Davies, and Philip C. Jessup were chairmen of the French, British, and United States Delegations respectively at the Four-Power Exploratory Talks at Paris, March 5–June 21, 1951. The specific conversation under reference has not been identified. For documentation on the Paris sessions, see vol. iii, pp. 1086 ff.
2. Foreign Secretary Morrison visited the United States to participate in the San Francisco Conference on the Japanese Peace Treaty, September 4–8, and in the Washington Meetings of the Foreign Ministers of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, September 10–14. For documentation on U.S. discussions with British officials during August and September concerning disarmament proposals, see pp. 500 ff.
3. Henri Bonnet, French Ambassador in the United States.