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

396.1–PA/3–2351: Telegram

The United States Representative at the Four-Power Exploratory Talks ( Jessup ) to the Secretary of State

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Paris , March 23, 1951—1 p. m.

5664. From Jessup. At the tripartite meeting this morning I argued strongly present US position concerning phrasing agenda item on German demilitarization.

Davies and Parodi maintained their positions. Both said they could not understand US position and believed it necessary to arrive at formula on this subject which in their opinion would be more acceptable to Gromyko.

Davies revealed for first time that his government was prepared to accept as second item on agenda the demilitarization of Germany in relation to first item.

Both said it would not be possible to resolve our differences here. Parodi said he would talk to Premier Queuille in the absence of Schuman and stated frankly that he would not seek to obtain authority to accept our view. Davies said he would talk to Morrison when he returns to London this weekend.

Parodi indicated willingness to discuss completely new neutral agenda but Davies opposed such discussion saying he could contribute nothing since his government did not now favor this proposal.

We agreed that in restricted session this afternoon we would (1) present no new formulation but would continue yesterday’s luncheon discussion¹ making clear to Gromyko we could not accept his item on German demilitarization and (2) give Gromyko opportunity to make new proposal on German demilitarization.²

[ Jessup ]

1. At the luncheon on March 22, attended by the four Representatives with one adviser each, Gromyko had made plain that his instructions were definite on the need for a separate item on German demilitarization, while the three Western Deputies had made clear that such a proposal was unacceptable. Telegram 3561 from Paris, March 22 (396.1–PA/3–2251).
2. At the restricted (16th) session in the afternoon of March 23, Gromyko offered to accept Item I of the March 4 Western agenda (see footnote 2, p. 1092) or the Soviet revision of it presented on March 14 (see footnote 3, p. 1099), in exchange for Western acceptance of the item on German demilitarization. The three Western Deputies informed Gromyko that the Soviet proposal for a separate demilitarization item was still unacceptable. (Telegram 5672 from Paris, March 23, 396.1–PA/3–2351)