396.1/1–851: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

secret
priority

3594. Following is text of US drft of proposed rep to Sov note Dec 30 re CFM referred to in immed preceding telegram:2

[Page 1059]

“(Usual acknowledgment)

“The US Govt, after a careful study of the note of the Sov Govt of Dec 30, asks for clarification in order to determine whether that Govt is in agreement with the proposals set forth in the US Govt’s note of Dec 22 and in notes of the Govt of the UK and of the Fr Rep of the same date.

“Since it is the purpose of the US Govt and of the Govts of UK and Fr Rep to find a basis for beginning discussions between their reps and the rep of the Govt of the Sov Union in order that the cause of international peace and security may be furthered, the Govt of US now confines itself to comments relating to its previous proposals. It refrains at this time from refuting the false allegations on a number of points in the Sov Govt’s note of Dec 30.

“The note of the Sov Govt does not refer to a desire, corresponding to that of the other three Govts, to bring about a real and lasting improvement in its relations with the other three Govts or to eliminate the causes of present international tensions throughout the world.

“The note of the Sov Govt seems to suggest that solutions of outstanding problems in regard to which the Sov attitude has created a sense of insecurity in the minds of peace-loving nations cannot even be explored unless the Govts of the US, UK and France accept in advance the unfounded Sov statements re the state of affairs in Ger which were set forth in the notes of the Sov Govt of Nov 3 and Dec 30 and also in the so-called Prague declaration.

“The US Govt explained in its note of Dec 22 that these totally false allegations offered no hope for the firm establishment of peace for which, together with the Govts of UK and Fr, it has consistently striven.

“The US Govt in its note of Dec 22 stated that the Sov proposal for a mtg of the CFM confined to considering the demilitarization of Ger in the context of the so-called Prague declaration was not acceptable for the reasons stated. The note proposed specifically:

  • “1. That a mtg of the ForMins should include in its discussion not only questions related to Aust and Ger but also the principal problems whose solution would permit a real and lasting improvement in the rels between the Sov Union and US, Great Brit and Fr and the elimination of the causes of present international tensions throughout the world.
  • “2. That reps of the four Govts be designated to meet and examine the problems referred to in the preceding para with a view to finding a mutually acceptable basis for a mtg of the ForMins of the four countries and recommend to their Govts a suitable agenda.
  • “3. That the reps meet for this purpose in NY.

“The note of the Sov Govt leaves it open to doubt whether that Govt will participate in a mtg of the ForMins of the four powers unless questions related to Ger are the sole items on the agenda.

“It was precisely because the Sov Govt’s note of Nov 3 did not manifest a willingness to arrive at real solutions inspired by a desire to promote international peace and security, that the three Govts, unwilling to omit any effort which might contribute to that result, suggested, in their notes of Dec 22, a prelim discussion to explore the possibility [Page 1060] of ‘finding a mutually acceptable basis for a mtg of the ForMins of the four countries,’ which could fruitfully address itself to the lessening of the international tensions,

“The note of the Sov Govt states that it does not object to a prelim conference of reps of the four Govts but, in view of other statements in the note, does not make clear whether the (Sov Govt agrees that the function of such a preliminary conference should be fas stated in para numbered two above. The necessity of exploratory conversations designed to find a mutually acceptable basis for a mtg of the four ForMins appears all the more important in view of the uncertainties regarding the Sov attitude to which attention has just been called. The Govt of the US obviously cannot agree upon the order of items on an agenda until the exploratory conversations have considered what items would be included.

“As for the place of mtg, the three Govts suggested NY because it is the seat of the UN where all four Govts are represented and where discussion of several important issues is currently in progress. In addition, the US is designated by the accepted principle of rotation as the country in which the next mtg of CFM will take place. Therefore, it would be particularly convenient to arrange the prelim and exploratory mtg of reps of the four Govts in the same country. Since, as the US Govt is informed, this is also the view of the Govts of Great Brit and Fr, NY is practically convenient for a majority of the Govts concerned.

“The Govt of US renews its proposal made on Dec 22 and hopes that the Sov Govt will not take the position that it is unwilling to discuss the causes of present international tensions throughout the world. If the Sov Govt is willing to accept the proposal, the US Govt for its part is prepared to arrange, in agreement with the Govts of the UK Fr and Sov Union, the exact time of the exploratory mtg of representatives.”

Acheson
  1. This telegram, drafted by Jessup and cleared by Matthews, was sent also for action to London and repeated to Frankfurt and Moscow.
  2. Telegram 3593, supra.