Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 2

740.5/12–2751: Telegram.

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret

Washington, December 29, 1951—5:22 p. m.

3736. Ref London’s 2886 Dec 27 rptd Paris 1327, Bonn 147² and Paris 3824, Dec 27, rptd London 1051, Bonn 207,³ subj Ger security safeguards.

Brit Emb informed Dept today Brit feel we shld agree to Fr proposal to press Gers for contractual agreement on lines set forth by Parodi at Dec 21 mtg in Paris (ref Paris 3751 Dec 22 rptd London 1001, Bonn 197.⁴) Emb stated Brit feel support shld be given on fol conditions:

1. HICOM shld make effort to reach agreement quickly. Failure to reach agreement shld not result in breakdown of discussions with Gers but shld be followed by three power consultation.

2. Separate agreement on security safeguards with no recourse to arbitration shld not be excluded.

3. Prohibitions shld be subj to modification by three powers in interest of NATO.

4. Settlement shld be subj of review when EDC functioning satisfactorily, and alternative arrangements made to satisfaction of powers concerned.

They explained that, while UK agreed with US reluctance to impose limitations on ground weapons, they believe Fr have moved long way in our direction and that our agreement to press Gers on gun barrels and propellants was price of progress on this subj. They doubt whether anything more can be accomplished unless Fr are convinced Gers will not agree.

Emb stated that FonOff had not realized direct conversations between Fr and Gers were involved. In view of US agreement to Schuman’s sounding out of Adenauer, they have instructed Brit Emb Paris that UK has no objection provided UK not necessarily committed to accepting results Schuman–Adenauer talks without further consideration and provided sounding out wld be on basis of Parodi proposal.

Emb informed we agreed proposal shld be tried out on Gers, but thought this shld be done by Fr directly and without commitment as to tripartite position if approach failed. Emb was informed of US statement to Fr as set forth in Paris 3824. Substance of Deptels 3645, Dec 22 to Paris, rptd Bonn 771, London 3032;⁵ and 3650 Dec 25, rptd Bonn 776, London 3037,⁶ was given Emb as gen line of present Dept thinking with statement Dept wld wish to look at problem further in light of outcome of Paris talks.

Acheson

1. This telegram was drafted by Reinstein and repeated to Bonn and London.
2. Not printed; it reported that Lincoln was recommending acceptance of the French proposal on security controls but did not anticipate a favorable German response. (740.5/12–2751)
3. Not printed; it reported that the French Foreign Office had been informed that the United States “would welcome direct discussion security controls between Schuman and Adenauer.” (740.5/12–2751)
4. Ante, p. 1741.
5. Not printed, but see footnote 6, p. 1743.
6. Not printed.