740.5/11–951: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
3053. For Perkins, Byroade, MacArthur and Bruce.2 Ital rep EDF Lombardo in talk with Martin Men stressed anxiety over recent Benelux reaction to EDF conf and asked what US intended doing. Martin pointed out that principal US reps concerned were now in Paris where understood sit moving fairly rapidly; US of course was deeply interested and considered EDC most practical way achievement Ger contribution to West def; EDC had better prospects of success if Benelux countries members, but only if they were willing members, fully understanding nature of enterprise on which embarked and committed to working out problems necessary to make it work. Indicated thought this was attitude we would convey if opportunity arose. Also indicated solution perhaps required compromises in degree to which full EDC concept worked out now and applied from start but that was matter which EDC members wld have to resolve in terms of desire for Ben membership vs need for full-blown scheme at start.
Lombardo made clear thought Belgian attitude much more adverse to real EDC than Dutch. When asked whether this at all due to gradual development of proposal from simple EDF to all now involved in EDC concept, replied in negative citing number minor issues in mil field on which Belgians had been reluctant give Def Commissioner any authority except with unanimous approval Council of Ministers.
When asked what Ital wld do in event Ben countries withdrew EDF, Lombardo said that wld be unfortunate but main thing was to get on with Eur integration, implication clearly being that Ital wld continue [Page 930] with Ger and Fr. Saw no alternative solution to Ger problem. Lombardo eloquent re integration idea for which youth of Eur cld fight, cited Marshal plan progress which if not interrupted by rearmament effort wld itself have gone far towards accomplishing Eur integration.
On matter Ger membership NATO, Lombardo did not consider this pressing issue at this time; Blank at Paris had raised question, but Lombardo thought he was satisfied with step by step return of Ger to equality status. In Lombardo’s view Adenauer was not too concerned although he might be forced into raising issue by Schumacher. Note disparity our thinking. (See Bonn 348, rpt Paris 143, London 124, Frankfurt 465.3)
- This telegram, which was drafted by John L. Barnard of the Office of European Regional Affairs and approved by Office Director Edwin M. Martin, was repeated for information to London for Ambassadors Gifford and Spofford, to Frankfurt for High Commissioner McCloy, and to Rome, The Hague, and Brussels.↩
- All four named officers served as advisers to the Secretary of State during his meetings with other Foreign Ministers in Paris coincident with the Sixth Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly.↩
- Not printed.↩