Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

740.5/7–1651: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

top secret

Washington, July 16, 1951—6 p. m.

346. Pass MacArthur. Urtels 8138and 8142Jun 27²

1. Dept gratified that Fr Govt agrees Bonn report shld be subj early discussions among 3occ powers. While we believe Fr reply shld enable us reach agreement on procedure at early date, we do not believe acceptance all Fr suggestions wld permit as prompt action as we desire.

2. We especially regret Fr view that preliminary consideration of Bonn report shld not even be initiated until Paris report is ready. We have believed that need for prompt action on question of Ger participation in defense made imperative earliest possible start on consideration of Bonn report while awaiting Paris report. Nevertheless we are willing to agree that both reports shld be considered together, since Paris report is apparently almost completed.

3. Do not want any misunderstanding of our favorable attitude toward Eur Army plan, though Deptel 7155 Jun 28, rptd London 6196, HICOG Fkft 8194, shld have made that sufficiently clear. We feel it most desirable for reps studying Bonn report to have also before them Paris report for consideration and comparison. Only this way can problem be considered from broadest angle, as well as full Fr cooperation be obtained. You shld make this clear to Fr, at same time making clear we are sorry that time which cld meanwhile have been used in immediate consideration of mil and polit questions arising from Bonn report shld have been wasted marking time waiting for Paris report.

4. While it wld be possible build case on Brussels decisions which charged occ powers with approach to Gers and which were not made dependent on results Paris Conf, we think wiser in our approach to Fr avoid such legalisms. Instead, we shld insist on urgency of proceeding with buildup of Western strength which requires incorporation Ger contribution. This urgency has increased in months elapsed since Brussels; while useful work has been done in Paris and Bonn time has been lost because of slow tempo due to such factors as Fr elections and CFM Deps talks. We are most anxious to move forward again and place great importance on Fr agreement initiate next phase, as proposed para 6. Consequently, you shld approach Fr Govt along fol lines.

5. We wld accept their concept as ultimate solution with adequate safeguards for Eisenhower’s full power to dispose all units as he deems necessary but we cannot accept delay inherent in solving all practical problems involved. We wish start taking immediate steps for recruiting and training Ger units for NATO forces, steps which will be consistent with and even promote ultimate solution proposed by Fr. Fr position wld cause unacceptable delays because of necessity of finding in advance answers to intricate polit and finan problems, in addition to mil ones. Meanwhile as London’s Depto 35 Jul 8 points out in its para 1, various factors may begin to operate to weaken Western determination and make agreement on Ger participation more difficult. While we therefore are prepared to go very far to meet Fr position stated in Embtel 8142, and are fully prepared to cooperate in finding such solution as most desirable one in long run if practical plan can be worked out and permanently set within NATO framework, we cannot accept Fr solution as only immediate one any more than in Nov in view urgency build up strength soonest.

6. We wld therefore again urge Fr Govt to authorize Rep on SG to join Brit and US members in examination of mil aspects of Bonn report and in isolating polit and other questions which shld be referred to govts as outside competence of SG. We propose that this study of Bonn report be begun in Wash on Jul 30 and that at same time there be begun in Wash study of polit questions involved by another group of three dipl Reps. We agree that Paris Conf report shld be studied by same groups at same time. Polit questions wld be those arising from Bonn and Paris reports, including those isolated by SG Reps, but wld not include question of modifications in polit regime in Ger, which is now under discussion elsewhere. Thus we hope that three govts can have before them by Aug 13 recommendations based on Bonn and Paris reports. At that time and depending on nature these recommendations, on degree of agreement and on seriousness of conflicting views, decision will have to be reached as to level of tripartite forum in which to seek joint position as matter urgency. Not unlikely mtg three FonMins will be required at which decisions on Ger polit regime cld also be taken.

7. FYI only we agree with London’s Depto 35 Jul 8 and Paris 130 Jul 7 that SHAPE guidance and consideration are essential Ger participation. Do not believe however that these problems can be moved forward fast enough at working party level and therefore feel they shld have consideration by SG Reps as proposed above and by dipl Reps in Wash (perhaps Franks and Alphand as suggested in Paris 8138 Jun 27) and Byroade-Perkins. Necessary questions shld be referred by mil Reps to SHAPE, as fast as isolated and perhaps SHAPE Rep cld come over in last stages of consideration. Attach particular importance to personal guidance Eisenhower. Tentatively we think this best secured through his participation in later FonMin mtg rather than at working group level. Do not believe shld bring in Gers until substantial coordination occ powers views have been obtained.

8. Approach Fr FonOff in this sense. London convey substance foregoing to Brit FonOff. Have received aide-mémoire from Brit Emb July 12 expressing general agreement with our original proposal and making a few suggestions entirely in line with para 6 above. Anticipate favorable response from Brit FonOff, therefore.

Acheson

1. This telegram, which was also sent to London as 326 to be passed to Spofford and was repeated for information to Frankfurt and Bonn, was drafted by Laukhuff of GER/GPA and Knight of EUR/RA and was cleared by Matthews, Cabot of S/ISA, and Martin of EUR. This is section one of a two-section telegram. For section two, see telegram 347 to Paris, infra.
2. Telegram 8142 is not printed, but see footnote 4, p. 800.