Editorial Note
In telegram Repto 880 from Paris, February 23, Katz informed Foster that the meeting of the OEEC heads of delegations on the Marjolin memorandum was now scheduled for Tuesday instead of Wednesday and that the memorandum was designated TFD/DL–65 with a number of changes, the most important being a newly-drafted paragraph 24 stressing the need for concerted and collective efforts by the member governments and a revised paragraph 27 (which became paragraph 28) stressing the importance of the United States as a full partner in such efforts because of its position as member and leader of the “Atlantic community”. (ECA message files, FRC 53A278, Paris) In telegram Torep 1313 to Paris, February 24, Foster stated that ECA’s preliminary reaction to the Marjolin paper with modifications reported in telegram Repto 880 was “extremely favorable. Believe we should encourage submission to Council and should promise fullest practical U.S. participation and support in dealing with problems listed Paragraph 22” of telegram Repto 856. Foster added that he agreed with the position stated by Katz in paragraph “a” of telegram Repto 856 concerning the degree of United States participation. In conclusion, Foster stated “Will discuss further with Marjolin, Stikker and expect express foregoing views.” No record of these conversations has been found in Department of State files, but in telegram Torep 1336 to Paris, February 26, Acting Administrator Paul Porter stated: “Our general view is that Marjolin paper is admirable document especially as improved by changes noted in Repto 880. We have no significant particular comments.” (ECA telegram files, FRC Acc. No. 53A278, Paris Torep)
The Marjolin memorandum was considered twice in late February and early March by the OEEC. In telegram Repto 1110 from Paris, March 10, Katz reported that at the close of an informal debate on March 9, the ministers agreed that the OEEC Secretariat would prepare a resolution to carry out the general policies indicated in the memorandum, tying this in with a raw material item then on the formal Council agenda. (ECA telegram files, FRC Acc. No. 53A278, Paris Repto) Thereafter the memorandum languished [Page 13] until Stikker revived it in July as the European Manifesto (see telegrams 3875 and Depto 198, Documents 16 and 18).