Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

850.33/5–1954: Telegram

No. 686
The Acting United States Representative to the European Coal and Steel Community (Tomlinson) to the Department of State¹

secret
niact

Paris, May 19, 1954—6 p.m.

Coled 246. Herewith repeat of Strasbourg telegram sent niact Paris 48, May 19, noon.

“Following from Bruce Mission: Subject is Saar:

• “1. Franco-German negotiations on Saar opened last night with talk between Teitgen, Adenauer and Hallstein following Chancellor’s dinner for Council of Ministers. Talks will continue today at lunch to which Spaak² has invited Teitgen, Adenauer, Hallstein, Gerstenmaier, Monnet, Brentano, Guy Mollet and van der Goes van Naters. Further bilateral talks may follow this afternoon.
• “2. Both sides say they are ready and anxious to reach agreement there. Teitgen vigorously denied to van der Goes that French Government exclusively interested in Indochina. He insisted French anxious remove ‘preambles’ especially Saar, so that EDC debate can be held. He says Cabinet authorized him to negotiate on Saar and he appears to have been fully briefed. Germans say Chancellor also anxious to conclude on this question despite his worries about situation within coalition. Spaak told us yesterday he intended to ask both Chancellor and Teitgen to confirm at today’s lunch if they are prepared to settle here and now.
• “3. At last night’s meeting Germans presented slightly modified version van der Goes proposal (Paris Embtel 4394 re Article 1³) on tie between Europeanization of Saar and political community. Germans say Teitgen appeared favorable and believe he will confirm acceptance today. Germans also presented proposal on economic problem based on Maurice Schumann’s oral suggestion last week (Embtel 4394); Teitgen will study and reply today. Economic problem will probably be main subject at Spaak’s lunch. Signed Andrews.”⁴

Tomlinson

1. Repeated to London and Bonn.
2. Paul–Henri Spaak, former Belgian Prime Minister and member of the Council of Europe.
3. Telegram 4394 is not printed. The van Naters proposal outlined three steps for the organization of the Saar as a European territory. (762.022/5–1654)
4. George D. Andrews, Consul at Strasbourg.