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

740.5/10–1951: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret

Paris, October 19, 1951—8 p. m.

2300. Re Deptel 2270² and ref cables from London rptd Paris for info have caused me concern for several reasons:

1. As Dept knows, as US observer I and my staff have been fol EDF conf in detail for some months. We sit in on mtgs of steering comite and sub-comites and keep close contact with French and other dels. I had assumed US del London was aware of this situation and wld make use of this Emb to obtain info or arrange any desired mtgs regarding relation of EDF to London talks. As US del London conducts separate discussions with EDF conference, this is bound to create confusion and cross wires just as individual discussions between US del London and Germans wld compromise HICOM position in contractual negots. In view of current TCC study, HICOM contractual negots and EDF conf, it is obvious that US del London must work closely with officials handling these related matters to avoid misunderstanding and duplication of work.

2. Some misunderstanding already seems to have arisen. As requested your Deptel 2270, Oct 18, Emb asked FonOff about reported unwillingness of French to agree to an informal mtg in Paris on EDF with experts of London dels. FonOff had not heard of any requests for mtgs and stated it wld, of course, cooperate in arranging any informal mtgs the US and UK observers to EDF conf thought useful in connection with London talks. Alphand believes such informal mtg here wld be helpful.³

3. Ref cables from London have implied that Schuman agreed in Washington that EDF wld be started without settling basis financial provisions. I did not understand this to be the case. French did state they were prepared to launch EDF and permit recruiting of Germans as soon as treaty establishing basis EDF institutions and conferring necessary powers had become effective, leaving to institutions working out of details without waiting for institutions to exercise full functions. French have always considered the common budget for EDF as one of its essential features.

Your Deptel 2270 appears to be consistent with my understanding as stated above.

Bruce

1. This telegram was repeated for information to Frankfurt for McCloy, to London for Reinstein, and to OSR for Harriman.
2. Dated October 17, not printed. It explained that the U.S. approach to the London tripartite conversations regarding the German financial contribution to Western defense was based upon assurances given by French Foreign Minister Schuman to the effect that the final working out of economic and administrative details of a European Defense Force would not hold up agreement on German contractual relations or the recruitment of Germans into the European Defense Force. The telegram observed that the French Delegation to the tripartite talks in London was nevertheless unwilling to agree to an informal meeting in Paris of experts to discuss the relationship of the European Defense Force with the financial planning for German contractual relations and the financing of Germany’s contribution to Western defense. (740.5/10–1451)

3. Telegram 1994, October 23, from London, not printed, commented that the first two paragraphs of the telegram printed here involved a misunderstanding. It observed that the U.S. Delegation to the tripartite conversations regarding the German financial contribution to Western defense had made no suggestion that the London negotiators have any discussions with the European Defense Community Conference in Paris. The American proposal had simply been for tripartite conversations in Paris that could include those officials concerned with the European Defense Community Conference. (740.5/10–2351)

   Alphand discussed French views regarding a German financial contribution to a European Defense Force and support of Allied forces in Germany with American Embassy representatives in Paris on October 20 and with American, British and French negotiators in London on October 22; see telegram 2329, October 21, from Paris, p. 1656, and footnote 2 thereto.