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

751.5 MSP/7–2654: Telegram

No. 653
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

secret

Washington, July 28, 1954—8:03 p.m.

368. Limited distribution. Pass USRO and CINCEUR for info. Defense cabling CINCEUR (copy Embassy) to carry out OSP policy France recommended Embtel 332.²

You will note instructions do not prevent solicitation bids from French firm as part any general invitation to bid which may be issued by US procurement authorities. Believe this in accordance your recommendation 1) policy not prejudice eventual receipt OSP contracts by France and 2) no positive evidence become available US stop orders on OSP France. With respect 2) impossible expect information would not become generally available which would be clear indication deliberate policy if US issued invitation bid to firms other European countries and not to those French firms which would normally have received invitations. Such conclusion inevitable in case items in follow-on category (major portion OSP program) which French firms already producing under prior year’s contracts. You may comment on this.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Levy-Hawes and cleared with Kranich and Beigel.
2. Documents 651.