Editorial Note
As a result of carrying out the Department of State’s instructions to inform the French Government of the imminent Stassen–Thorneycroft discussions, it became clear to the American Embassy in Paris, as reported in Poltos 7 and 8, July 1 and 2, 1954, respectively, neither printed, that the responsible French officials were “visibly displeased” at having been excluded. (460.509/7–154 and 7–254) It was accordingly decided that Governor Stassen should proceed to Paris at the conclusion of his talks with Thorneycroft to discuss bilaterally with the French, Germans, Italians, and Japanese the issues that the United States and the United Kingdom had been attempting to resolve. He arrived in Paris on July 12, attained basic agreement on most issues with the representatives of each country, and then departed for London on July 14, where he conferred once again with Thorneycroft. Reports on Governor Stassen’s conversations with the French, Germans, Italians, and Japanese were transmitted to the Department of State in Poltos 82, 83, 84, and 85 from Paris, July 13, none printed. (460.509/7–1354)