740.5/12–551: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Acting Secretary of State
niact
3338. For Martin from Vass. No distribution this message outside State Dept. This is background to long report TCC mtg being sent by del.1
1. Decision circulate draft report Mon for consideration by govts before final TCC mtg December 14 raises question of extent to which you wish to participate in shaping report. FinMins will, of course, come armed with governmental positions and will naturally assume we have done same.
2. Since report, including controversial country annexes, will be exceedingly bulky and highly classified, hardly practicable cable report, which cld hardly be ungarbled prior to meeting. If you believe State shld see text and offer comments on points where language may be important domestically or in terms foreign relations (assuming we must be prepared for leaks of virtually entire text), suggest you raise this problem. One possibility wld be for me to return with report as soon as available.
3. Postponement mtg to Thurs due largely to Monnet, who must participate in Schuman Plan debate balance this week. He threatened resign as TCC member unless schedule delayed, a move which both US and UK reps described as “blackmail”. TCC mtg failed provide either showdown or agreement on issue 1952 versus 1954.
4. Bidault has sent long letter to Harriman, as chairman TCC purporting to prove Fr effort outstanding and winding up with flat demand for 200 million dollars economic aid last half calendar 1951 and 715 million dollars first half 1952, for total of 915 million dollars in US fiscal year 1952. Letter states must be economic aid with counterpart and minimum amount necessary for Fr support 1,512 billion franc defense budget, which he claims is required to meet defense obligations as worked out by TCC. No indication yet whether Harriman will accept this as part TCC operation or turn matter over to bilateral [Page 369] negotiations. Harriman expects deal solely with MSP during Monnet absence.
5. We understand Bidault letter to Harriman was sent by him without prior consultation with his colleagues and does not represent Fr Govt position. [Vass.]
- Supra. ↩