751.5–MAP/5–1251: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Bruce) to the Secretary of State 1
6904. Toisa message. Verbatim OSR text. Fol is text note being presented to FonOff (Deptel 5783, April 30, rptd London 49782):
“Emb presents its compliments to Min Foreign Affairs and has honor to refer to response prepared by Min Natl Def of Fr Govt to a request of US Govt for info concerning relation of Fr def program adopted in Jan 1951 to program outlined in Oct talk in Wash. This info was requested pursuant to understanding embodied in Dec 18–19, 1950 exchange of aide-mémoires that US was to provide $200 million supplementary econ assistance to France on condition that definitive Fr def program substantially corresponded with projected program which served as a basis for Oct talks in Wash. In view of US it was felt projected program outlined at that time represented an initial contribution to NATO medium-term def plan of a magnitude appropriate to country of France’s resources.
“The pertinent agencies of US Govt have now studied the info given them by Fr Govt and ECA is now prepared to proceed with the allotment of balance of $129 million remaining of $200 million foreseen in Dec 18–19 aides-mémoire. In reaching this decision US Govt has taken note of additional expenditures incurred in Indochina by Fr Govt which bring the definitive level of mil expenditure in 1951 to approx level of those projected in Oct talks. US Govt has indicated certain reservations concerning the content of definitive 1951 Fr def program but nevertheless has concluded that the legitimate dollar requirements resulting from a program of the magnitude envisaged justify the granting of this amount of further aid in US fiscal year 1951.
“US Govt has found the recent conversations on whether present Fr def program represents the optimum distribution of the def effort and expenditure for France very useful and hopes that the progressive implementation of Fr mil program will reflect the views brought out in these conversations.
“US Govt had also considered the estimates submitted to ECA with ref to the total amount of econ support aid required by France during the first half 1951. US Govt considers that ECA allotment of $40 million made last Jan and the $200 million foreseen in Dec 18 aide-mémoire constitute maximum econ assistance that can be reasonably justified for this period.
“Emb refers to the statements made by US reps during talks between President Truman and Prime Minister Pleven last January concerning the decision of US Govt in light of revised estimates of world situation to accelerate its previous rearmament schedule. US assumes each nation participating in NATO is continuously reviewing [Page 390] its own plans to determine their adequacy in terms both of size and phasing to meet changing situation. US Govt wishes to emphasize that there have been no developments during intervening period which would lead it to alter foregoing views. Accordingly Emb is prepared to participate in discussions with appropriate Fr officials of Fr plans and capabilities for increasing and accelerating def effort between now and July 1, 1952 and of manner in which US can assist in carrying out these plans.”