ODA Files, Lot 60 D 512

Discussion Brief for Bilateral Talks on Colonial Policy To Be Held at London and Paris (Agenda Item IV (b) 10)

confidential

Item IV (b), 10—Questions Relating to Caribbean Commission (For French talks only)

I. Problem: To determine how the Commission can be made a more effective body in the economic and social development of the area. The French are critical of Caribbean Commission accomplishments but do little or nothing to carry out recommendations of the Commission or its auxiliary bodies.

(1)
French should be assured again that the United States has no political solutions in the French Antillean Departments and has no intention ever to use the Caribbean Commission for this purpose.
(2)
French have always feared possible Caribbean Commission interference in the French Antillean Departments and have consistently [Page 646] attempted to limit the Commission’s operations in every way especially through budget reductions.