740.00/12–1151: Telegram
The Consul at Strasbourg ( Andrews) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
89. Ref Contel 87, Dec 11.2 Translation text Spaak letter of resignation follows:
“For some time now, I have had feeling of nostalgia in presidential chair. More and more I have suffered from not being able to take an active part in our deliberations.
“In this matter events of yesterday have been decisive. I cannot in all conscience approve timid policy of Assembly.
“I have, therefore, decided to relinquish my functions which will permit me—at a moment which I consider to be very critical-to regain my entire freedom of action and to take my stand in fighting Eur.
“I ask you to convey to my colleagues how much I appreciate confidence which they have shown me in thrice entrusting me with great honor of presiding over Assembly.”
Some time after Assembly had approved with two abstentions res introduced by Turk Gulek and Brit Conservative asking Spaak to reconsider, he took place as delegate on floor and reed warm applause. During subsequent debate on Teitgen amendment to draft statute (Contel 88, Dec 11),3 Spaak took opportunity to deliver moving speech summarized below.
He wished justify his support Teitgen amendment and wld support any such amendment giving CE opportunity emerge from present negative and stagnant state. He was depressed that total of talent and wisdom in CE led to no definite decision and felt that in fact only about sixty dels really believed in urgent need for unity, remainder obviously not being affected by feeling of urgency and threat of crisis (re Contel 75, Decl4 re our conversation with Spaak). Eur now mutilated, Asia and Africa in revolt against her, for past four years Eur had lived in fear of Russians and on charity of Amers. Yet Assembly acted as if it had all time it wanted. There had been hope that change of govt in UK might offer greater chance but hard fact had emerged that UK was prepared do little more than “foster” Eur unity. It wld be disastrous if public opinion [Page 84] was led believe that absence UK was excuse for failing unite Eur. United Eur without UK a risk but it behooved one to take risks when rewards were worth it.
Mtg 10th had been historic opportunity but when four Mins said they favored united Eur and asked for assistance of Assembly they reed no worthwhile reply. Assembly shld have appealed to Schuman Plan countries to federate. At least, it shld accept Teitgen proposal which showed way and offered real executive power to Assembly.
Hopes of Eur union practically exhausted in Strasbourg and those who believed in it had to appeal to public opinion outside CE for help in its creation.
This speech reed terrific applause.
Member Consulate staff had lunch today with Belg Socialist Larock who said he had spent many hours last night trying dissuade Spaak from resignation. Spaak had said he must resign not only as gesture against ineffectiveness Assembly but also against lack interest Comite Mins in Eur unity and because he wanted organize continental Socialists behind European idea which he wld be unable do as Pres Assembly.5
- Repeated to Paris, Brussels, London, Bonn, Rome, Ankara, Athens, Copenhagen, Dublin, The Hague, Luxembourg, Oslo, Reykjavik, Stockholm, Vienna, Ottawa, and Wellington.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Supra.↩
- Document 38.↩
- In telegram 713 from Bonn, December 12, McCloy transmitted “Public Affairs Guidance No. 156” which included a brief passage commenting on the Spaak resignation. Spaak’s action “reflects on role and work of Strasbourg Assembly rather than on work done by govts for unification of Europe as exemplified by Fr vote on Schuman Plan and on planning in progress for Eur Army. Spaak’s action was intended and may be expected to make Council more productive and, in general, encourage more positive action and public opinion pressure for European integration.” (511.00/12–1251) Telegram 638 to Bonn, December 13, stated the Department’s view that Spaak’s resignation was “better interpreted” as a reflection of his discontent with the achievements of the Council of Europe. It added that “Comparison with accomplishments of Govts unfortunate since CE Assembly has in fact endorsed both Schuman Plan and Eur army (without however bringing about great Eur unity). While Spaak action was certainly intended to make Council more productive, believe speculation of effects of action are premature and in any case should not originate with US.” (740.5/12–1351) In telegram 775 from Bonn, December 18, McCloy replied that the guidance theme was intended to prevent the Spaak resignation from becoming a contributing factor “to popular cynical attitudes toward European integration which have become increasingly prevalent in Germany”. (740.5/12–1851)↩