396.1 LO/2–1352: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
3899. Urtel 3517 Feb 13 rptd info Bonn, 291, Paris 1741, Strasbourg unn.2 In suggesting procedure for handling Saar problem to be discussed London Dept did not wish to preclude flexible approach which cld be adapted to actual developments as well as possible differing [Page 35] views of other FonOffs. What we seek is course of action most likely to achieve immed objective of separating Saar issue from EDF and contractual negots and ratification process. If Adenauer and Schuman feel this can best be accomplished by Franco-German negots we wld certainly not oppose efforts on their part to arrive at a mutually agreeable formula. Our thought, however, was that tripartite offer suggested para 2 Deptel 1538 to Bonn rptd info Paris 4737 London 3825 Strasbourg (pouch)3 might be of more assistance to Adenauer in his difficult task of obtaining Bundestag ratification without serious intrusion of Saar question.
While it is true that any discussion with Fr of substance of settlement involves dangers pointed out by Brit FonOff, any settlement, no matter how arrived at, will eventually have to have the agreement of the UK and US, and will therefore at some point necessitate a judgment on substance. Our recent experience when the UK and US let the Fr and Gers attempt to reach an agreement on security controls does not encourage much hope for bilateral approach, but any agreement which the Fr and Gers might actually reach on the Saar wld probably be acceptable to us. The danger is that rigid and irreconcilable positions might develop during the course of negots which cld have been avoided through the moderating presence of the US and UK.