Office of the Historian

740.5/12–851: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

secret
Washington, December 10, 1951—6:27 p. m.

3423. Subj is Paris tel 3439.2 Dept fully concurs Gers entitled to detailed info concerning SHAPE’s terms of reference as these will govern use great bulk EDC forces. Dept believes, however, it wld be more appropriate for Fr Govt as member and in chair Paris Conf take initative with NAC Deps instead US which is observer. Dept desirous provide max help bring EDC negots successful conclusion but thinks preferable continue operate through members Paris Conf and bi-laterally back-stage with those members as complications arise rather than openly giving impression assuming leadership and initiative.

Webb
  1. This telegram, which was drafted by Ridgway Knight and cleared by Parsons, was repeated for information to London for Spofford.↩
  2. Dated December 8, not printed. It suggested that West German authorities be provided with the SHAPE terms of reference before they were obliged to agree to definite provisions on the use of European Defense Community forces. (740.5/12–851)↩