Office of the Historian

Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 398

No. 667
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Merchant)

secret
Washington, November 17, 1954.
  • Subject: Manila Pact1
[Page 1459]

Participants:

  • The Secretary
  • M. Mendès-France
  • Ambassador Bonnet
  • Livingston T. Merchant

The Secretary inquired of the French Premier what the prospect was for ratification by France of the Manila Treaty. M. Mendès-France replied that after careful study he had reached the conclusion that ratification by the French Assembly was not necessary for the Manila Treaty. He said others held contrary views, however. His intention is to send it in the immediate future to the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Assembly for information, study and discussion. After giving them sufficient time, possibly a month or so, to study it, it was his intention then for the Government to ratify it. This presumably would afford ample opportunity for the Assembly to take action itself on the Treaty if it should develop that the Commission believed this was constitutionally necessary. He did not indicate any doubt over the question of ratification although he indicated that he did not expect it until shortly after the turn of the year.

The Manila Charter, M. Mendès-France said, clearly required no Assembly action and he would sign it at once.

The Premier then raised the question of the proposal for a meeting in Bangkok in January. He said he had grave doubts as to the desirability of such a meeting, particularly if it were held at a Foreign Minister level. It might make difficulties for him in the Assembly since it could be construed as jumping the gun. He went on to say that he preferred, as apparently did the British, a tripartite meeting in Washington at which he would be represented by the French Ambassador.

The Secretary acknowledged the validity of the points made but emphasized that he had had in mind only consideration of procedural rather than substantive matters at any meeting prior to the Treaty coming into force. He said there was much that must be considered and decided concerning organization.

Mendès-France said that he would have no objection to working group meetings in Washington at the ambassadorial level and said that he understands this would be acceptable to the British.

The Secretary expressed the general understanding of the Premier’s point of view but did not commit himself.

  1. For documentation on this subject, see volume xii, Part 1.↩