Office of the Historian

740.5/12–2151: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1

secret
Washington, December 21, 1951—4:58 p. m.

3012. Personal for Amb. I believe Eden’s concern at press report of my remarks2 must be due to fact they were reported out of context. I was asked whether Brit participation essential for conclusion of EDF. My reply intended convey surprise that after year’s discussion anyone shld have assumed Brit participation essential. “Everybody’s hope for another decision” meant hope Paris EDC conference would succeed thus permitting Brit to find means of associating themselves.

At time of press conference if I had recd report of Churchill Paris talks3 and hence been able to refer to them, I wld have expressed satisfaction with results. Omission was unintentional. There is no intended conflict between my remarks and Paris communiqué.

Dept attempting clarify situation with local press.

Pls convey sense of above to Eden.

Acheson
  1. This telegram was signed personally by the Secretary of State.↩
  2. See telegram 2823, December 20, from London, p. 973.↩
  3. Regarding the Churchill talks under reference, see telegram 2813, December 19, from London, p. 971.↩