751.00/10–953: Telegram
No. 619
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the
Department of State
1413. After a dinner which I gave for Laniel last night, I had a long private talk with him. The following points seemed of interest:
- 1.
EDC—Laniel is definitely in favor of bringing EDC to a vote promptly after the presidential election, rather than at an earlier date. He states that he is making real progress with URAS and is very much encouraged. He says the EDC campaign will continually gather momentum. He expects some Socialist support when EDC comes to a vote but, nevertheless, believes it important to seek maximum URAS and ARS support. He said his greatest difficulty and danger now comes from Teitgen, who wants to do everything at once. Laniel feels that French are not yet ready to go anywhere near as far as Teitgen wishes to go toward merging their country fully with Germany, and that the Teitgen policy risks bringing on a strong emotional reaction that could cause everything to fail. Therefore, he will continue to attempt to moderate Teitgen’s attitude.
In talking of the necessity of reaching agreement with Germany prior to the vote on EDC, Laniel twice repeated that the time had come when he personally should sit down and talk with Adenauer. This is the first time he has mentioned any such project to me. He has always previously said such negotiations would be Bidault’s job. He was not clear as to just how he intended or wished to bring about the meeting with Adenauer.
- 2.
- Five-power talks—Laniel said there is no truth in the press stories that the Cabinet had decided to push for five-power talks. He recognized that this was a political impossibility in the US at the moment, and, in any event, he agreed that any such talks should only come after the Korean political conference. He said the press stories were deliberate leaks from members of his Cabinet attempting [Page 1392] to stir up public opinion. He indicated that he believed the responsibility for these leaks rested with Faure.
- 3.
- Political situation—Laniel expressed reasonable confidence in the future of his government and said his greatest difficulties at the moment were coming from the radical Socialist Party which was obviously anxious to regain the Prime Ministry. He particularly mentioned Martinaud Deplat in this connection.
- 4.
- Presidential election—It is very clear that Laniel personally is a full-fledged candidate for the presidency of the Republic. He talked at some length about the great importance of the position which was not generally recognized by the public. When I asked him who would name the new Prime Minister in case the Prime Minister should be elected to the presidency, he said that, of course, the incoming President of the Republic would have that opportunity.
- 5.
- Laniel continues to be definitely desirous of making a trip to Washington prior to the presidential elections. He said that he would be able to have a clearer idea of the possible dates in two or three weeks when his political relationships with the Assembly would be clearer.