740.00/8–951: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Bruce) to the Department of State 1
923. Both Council of Eur and French FonOff officials have informed Emb that most important aspect ninth session Council of Eur Com of Ministers (Strasbourg 10, August 3, Paris 1)2 was meeting afternoon August 3 after official agenda already dealt with and dinner party that evening with most FonMins present. Chancellor Adenauer came to Strasbourg exclusively for these informal discussions, having left handling of regular agenda to Hallstein.
At afternoon meeting initiative for discussion was taken by UK FonMin Morrison, who began by reading prepared statement on Eur econ sitn. Important part of this statement and subsequent discussion was devoted to necessity increase productivity in Eur.
Serious consideration was given to proposal that Com of Ministers shld hold special meeting toward end of August or even meeting that wld take form simultaneous meeting of Council of Eur Com of Mins and Council of Mins of OEEC. Purpose of this wld be to give dramatic announcement and send-off to Eur productivity campaign. How this matter now being pursued was not known to Embs informant, but he pointed out that Com of Mins meeting at which Morrison introduced subject had been preceded by meeting of UK FonMin with Schuman, Lange as chairman Com of Mins, Stikker as Pres of Council of OEEC, Marjolin, SecGen of OEEC, and Hall-Patch, head of Brit del to OEEC.
Also at afternoon meeting, Adenauer declared that he wld not raise Saar question since he had not had time to study tripartite reply to his letter of May 293 which had been delivered only that morning by HICOM. It was clear however, that Adenauer expected raise Saar question when Com of Mins held similar meeting in conjunction future session. FonOff official understood that what Adenauer had in mind was not secondary issue such as alleged violation by Saar Govt of Eur human rights convention (Strasbourg 22 August 6, rptd Paris 23) but whole issue of Saar’s present and future status.
[Page 47]At dinner (as already reported Oslo 146 August 8,4 rptd Paris 21, London 26, Copenhagen 4, Frankfort 7) Adenauer made full statement concerning Ger problem and position, according FonOff official. He emphasized Sov objective of gaining control over united Ger and strengthened position of French and Ital CP’s if this shld eventuate. High ranking officer of Brit Emb has informed us Morrison so irritated by Adenauer’s criticism of policies occupying powers that he almost left dinner party. There was apparently no real discussion fol Adenauer’s presentation.
Both Council of Eur secretariat and FonOff distinctly encouraged by fact that Com of Mins sessions have become forum for consideration of major Eur problems. Such meeting originally proposed by former Irish FonMin MacBride and seconded by Schuman. Original idea was such that such meetings might be held at times when formal Council of Eur agenda not under consideration, but practice initiated this month of special meetings in conjunction with regular sessions of Com of Mins appears more practical and satisfactory to FonOff.