949.5262A/8–1351: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
1025. In absence French Amb (Deptel 954 Aug 132), Fr Chargé here called in Aug 15 and US position suspension overflights and Oatis case pressed along lines recent Deptels. Referring your mtgs with FonOff this subj Paris and your report Schuman to bring question Cabinet Aug 17 (ur 994 Aug 133), we said had gained impression Fr reluctant agree suspension because (1) importance given econ consideration involved and some feeling action wld be chiefly at Fr expense but largely for our benefit. We then pointed out nr such cases as Oatis case including Vogeler, Sanders ones4 and difficulties in trying deal this problem by unilateral means. We emphasized this collective problem, great importance which focused by Oatis case, and in our opinion required collective counteraction. We were tired of seeing this kind of arbitrary treatment Western natls rptd from time to time and desired make it abundantly clear to Commies such provocations so unprofitable they cannot afford continue them. Also dwelt upon adverse effects such Commie mistreatment Western natls on prestige Western countries which must be upheld. For these reasons we believed effective counter-action in Oatis and similar cases matter far-reaching importance Western countries and had suggested this gen problem as item for agenda tripartite FonMins mtg at Washington.5 Called attention again strong personal interest Pres and Secy in matter. Made clear our readiness restore CSA overflights soon as satis obtained and willingness consider using this weapon likewise behalf imprisoned Fr natls. Chargé agreed report Paris our request for concurrence suspension and above views.
- Drafted by Vedeler of EUR/EE, cleared by EUR/WE, and approved by Deputy Assistant Secretary Bonbright. Repeated for information to London, Frankfurt, Praha, Brussels, and The Hague.↩
- Same as telegram 945 to London, Document 697.↩
- Telegram 994 reported that Foreign Minister Schuman planned to present the Czechoslovak overflight question before the first meeting of the newly-formed cabinet of French Prime Minister Pleven on August 17. (949.5262A/8–1351)↩
- For documentation on the Vogeler and Sanders cases, see Documents 723 ff.↩
- At the time of the preparation of this telegram, Secretary of State Acheson was planning to hold a series of meetings with Foreign Minister Schuman and British Foreign Secretary Morrison in Washington in September on a variety of major foreign policy problems. The three Foreign Ministers met in Washington September 10–14, but the question of Czechoslovak flights over Germany was not discussed. For documentation, see vol. iii, Part 1, pp. 1163 ff.↩