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

762.022/8–2451: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret

Washington , September 28, 1951—5 p. m.

1858. Urtel 1208, August 24 rptd London 1091, Frankfort, 128, Bonn 27, Strasbourg unn and Deptel 1122 Aug 22 rptd London 1091, Frankfort 1359, Bonn 79, Strasbourg 13.²

Dept intends proceed with transmission Aide-Mémoire along lines indicated Reftel. We note your original objection not to content of approach but rather to timing. Now that FonMins and NATO conferences³ concluded and agreement reached with Fr on broad range of subj we believe time propitious to attempt elicit info re Fr intentions on settlement Saar issue for fol reasons:

• 1. Such approach only possible when Saar issue relatively quiescent as at moment,
• 2. Gers (particularly SPD) apparently determined advance Ger position whenever possible and Ger activity likely to increase,
• 3. Fr position not becoming stronger and their ability and willingness arrive at settlement which Gers can accept is likely decline if position weakens. (FYI Schuman is reported to have stated off-the-record at Ottawa to Ger DPA correspondent that time of contractual arrangements wld certainly be opportune time for settlement Saar issue).
• 4. Letting Saar issue drift constantly risks it becoming linked in FedRep with such questions as Schuman Plan. As Brit point out, best hope for settlement seems to lie in frank exchange of views with Fr on issue.

Brit have indicated they strongly prefer parallel rather than unilateral approach. They have agreed with Dept that approach shld be made through our Paris Embs and Dept wld prefer handle through Paris unless you feel other factors make it desirable that action be taken Washington and London.

Ur comments requested soonest.⁴

Webb

1. Repeated to London, Frankfurt, Bonn, and Strasbourg.
2. Ante, p. 1980.
3. For documentation on the Seventh Session of the North Atlantic Council, held at Ottawa, September 15–20, see pp. 616 ff.
4. In telegram 1960, October 1, from Paris, not printed, Ambassador Bruce commented that he would “greatly prefer” a personal approach before submitting a formal aide-mémoire, since the latter “wld probably invite legalistic reply from French with quibbles over our expected commitments rather than constructive thinking on their part.” The preference for the personal approach was shared by High Commissioner McCloy and the British Foreign Office. Telegrams 2884, October 2, from Frankfurt, and 1938, October 19, from London, neither printed. (762.022/10–151 and 251 and 862A.022/10–1951)