Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

751.00/10–1253

No. 616
Memorandum for the Record¹

top secret

[Paris, October 6, 1953.]

• Subject: September 28 Meetings with M. Pleven

1. Two meetings were held with M. René Pleven, French Minister of National Defense on September 28. At the first, held at 18:15 at M. Pleven’s office, the following were present:

US

• C. Douglas Dillon, US Ambassador to France
• Roger M. Kyes, Deputy Secretary of Defense
• Frank C. Nash, Asst. Secretary of Defense (ISA)
• G. M. Godley, First Secretary, Paris Embassy
• J. M. Wilson, Jr., Defense Advisor, Paris Embassy

French

• René Pleven, Minister of National Defense
• Jean Mons, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Defense
• Admiral Cabanier, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Defense François Leduc, Chief, Central Liaison Mission for Assistance to the Allied Armies
• M. Nacivet, OSP Expert, Interministerial Committee on European Economic Cooperation

The second meeting was at a dinner given by Ambassador Dillon attended by M. Pleven, Mr. Kyes, Mr. Nash, Mr. Leduc and Mr. Godley.

2. Mr. Kyes opened the discussions by referring to M. Pleven’s August letter to Secretary of Defense Wilson, written in reply to Mr. Wilson’s letter of July 23.² He indicated that he was prepared to discuss these matters on behalf of the Secretary of Defense.

[Here follows discussion of the transfer of title to the United States Army cablehead at Nacqueville, problems in North Africa, and construction and procurement matters.]

8. Annual Review and Military Aid Items

A. Mr. Nash requested M. Pleven to use his personal influence in securing an early French reply to the outstanding Annual Review questionnaire as a matter of material help to the forthcoming December Ministerial meeting. M. Pleven indicated that he was faced with many difficulties in this connection and that he was personnally working on this problem every day. On the other hand, he had established certain targets, including the following: the Air Force should be increased by nine fighter squadrons; the Army would be maintained at 14 divisions and the Navy at its present level. This information would be made available in broad outline in a fortnight. He indicated his confidence that these targets would be reached, but stated that it would be most helpful if he could have some information from Mr. Nash as to the French share of the forthcoming United States offshore procurement program, especially contracts for military aircraft. Mr. Nash stated that in view of present US difficulties connected with providing additional aid for Indochina, it would be impossible at this time to give any sure indication of what items the United States might be in the market for or to indicate the magnitude of US assistance under the forthcoming program. He assured M. Pleven on the other hand that there would be a substantial offshore procurement program in Fiscal Year ’54 in which the French would participate. He did not know, however, to what extent or what items would be included and could not give an answer at this time but would let M. Pleven know as soon as possible after his return to Washington. M. Pleven stated that he would need such information to meet his targets, especially so far as the Air Force was concerned.

B. During the dinner meeting, M. Pleven referred again to the forthcoming offshore procurement program, inquiring particularly if there would be more ships included for France. Mr. Nash said he thought this might be a difficulty. M. Pleven then commented on Mr. Latt’s plan for the purchase of Hunter Hawker aircraft for Belgium and Holland last year, saying that this had “broken his heart” in that it did not foster the concept of arms standardization in EDC countries. He said he had no objection to purchasing them for non-EDC countries of NATO and indicated that, had it been generally agreed, he would have been willing to produce Hunter Hawkers in France and not French designed aircraft. He expressed the hope that the United States Government would use the great weapon it has in OSP in arriving at arms standardization which is one of the objectives of the EDC.

C. Also during the dinner conversation Mr. Nash inquired as to French special weapons development and referred to the $50,000,000 special weapons fund that might be used to assist in research. M. Pleven said that he was very pleased with French research in the field of teleguided rockets and assumed that we shared this view because the US had ordered 1500 “SS10” rockets. He said an improved model, the SS11, had already been developed. He would send Mr. Nash a memorandum on this and other French special weapons projects through Ambassador Dillon.

D. During the dinner meeting M. Pleven stated that he was having to shut down four or five aircraft plants in France out of a total of about 15. He reported that French aircraft research and development was being concentrated in the field of fast light aircraft for fighter-interceptors which were capable of landing on small airfields, even on grass, thus permitting a wide dispersal and less obvious targets. Mr. Kyes commented that this appeared to be a wise move. M. Pleven went on to say that the French were now selling about 55 Ouragans to India and would be prepared to sell aircraft as well to Pakistan if that nation wanted them.

E. M. Pleven also described at length the current situation in which top graduates from the Ecole Polytechnique were still going into Naval Architecture to work for six or seven years in French shipyards, moving on thereafter into private industry. He noted their special interest in aircraft carriers and submarines and commented at length on the interest shown in the recent record making dives in the Mediterranean.

9. During the dinner conversations M. Pleven indicated his personal views on several other questions. These are as follows:

A. M. Pleven described his practice in making a point every Sunday of giving a speech in his district. He indicated a great interest among his audience in the Federation of Europe and noted that in his speech last Sunday attended by a number of Belgians and French, at which he had spoken on the subject of EDC, the applause was greater than he had ever received. He stated that in his opinion EDC would be ratified within three months but not until after the presidential elections on December 15. He noted that there were many candidates for the presidency who did not wish personally to be placed out on a political limb prior to the elections. In this connection he commented that he himself was not a candidate but possibly M. Bidault was. Accordingly it might be very difficult to start the NATO meeting on the 15th of December since France is in the Chair. He compared this situation with that of Foreign Minister Kraft of Denmark at last April’s NATO meeting. The earliest time for a meeting in his opinion would be December 17.

B. Mr. Nash referred to EDC as M. Pleven’s “baby”, and M. Pleven noted that some of his early adherents had faded away from him, notably Jules Moch. In answer to a specific question, he stated that France would go ahead with ratification even if no four power talks were held and in advance of action by Italy if necessary. Mr. Nash mentioned his discussions in Germany with particular reference to Ralstein’s comments regarding the role of the young people in the Adenauer election and their enthusiasm for EDC. Pleven indicated additionally that he was sure that the Saar problem would be worked out soon and alluded also to the fact that the Russian Ambassador had called upon him recently and discussed the European Army for one hour and a half.

C. With regard to the situation in Trieste M. Pleven expressed a personal belief that the only solution lay in the direction of internationalization. He indicated additionally that there was now in France a good relationship with the Yugoslavs.

D. With regard to Indochina M. Pleven recommended General Navarre as a good man. He stated that much depends on whether or not Vietnamese troops can stand up under pressure. Mr. Kyes and Mr. Nash compared with this the US experience with ROK’s in the first year in the war in Korea. M. Pleven indicated that if these problems could be solved in Indochina all his problems with the French Army would be resolved.

E. M. Pleven referred to the visit of the Austrian President and said he was distressed with the apparent lack of resolution on the part of the Austrian leaders and their marked neutralistic tendencies. Ambassador Dillon said he had received similar reactions from other French officials who had seen the Austrians.

1. This memorandum, presumably drafted by Godley, was transmitted to the Department of State as an enclosure to a letter from Godley to Carpenter dated Oct. 6. Godley noted in his covering letter that these minutes were approved by Kyes who requested that they not be distributed throughout the services. Godley added that he felt Merchant, Bonbright, Knight, Fisher, and McBride should be shown these minutes. Godley concluded that everyone in Paris believed Kyes’ visit had been most helpful.
2. Neither found in Department of State files.