No. 110
Editorial Note
Telegram 2610 from Paris, October 28, not printed, reported that on October 25 the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs had delivered to the Embassy a reply to the Department of State aide-mémoire of October 14. (Regarding this aide-mémoire, see telegram 2155 to Paris, Document 94.) The final paragraph of the telegram reads: “I believe general atmosphere in Fon Off among those concerned with MEDO would be greatly improved if Dept would agree, as proposed by French, to discussions with representatives Brit and Fr Embs Washington on subject of liaison between NATO and MEDO. If Dept’s reply to French proposal re liaison mission is favorable and can be given quickly these discussions perhaps unnecessary. However, if Dept’s reply is protracted or is unfavorable, I think it would be great mistake not to agree to trilateral or bilateral discussions.” (780.5/10–2852)
Telegram 2611 from Paris, October 28, not printed, transmitted a free translation of the text of the French reply dated October 25. (780.5/10–2852) Despatch 988 from Paris, November 3, enclosed a copy of the French reply and a translation. (780.5/11–352) The French Note stated that since it appeared the opinion of the United States Government was somewhat different from that of the French Government on the question of the liaison to be established between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Middle East Defense Organization, the French Government persisted in its belief that tripartite conversations could facilitate agreement on the subject.
The French reply added that the French Government considered it unnecessary, at least in the planning stage, to place the Middle East Defense Organization under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Standing Group, since the planning group of the Middle East Defense Organization should be responsible only to the member governments of the organization through its military committee. The French considered it essential, however, that the Standing Group should be able to make known its suggestions or objections in the field of objectives and distribution of men and matériel between NATO and MEDO. For this reason, the French suggested the best method would be for the Standing Group to attach a liaison mission to MEDO for the purpose of constant liaison between the two organizations. They also suggested that the Turkish military representative in Washington participate in the deliberations of the Standing Group when it examined questions relating to the Middle East Defense Organization.
[Page 328]Telegram 2775 to Paris, November 13, not printed, informed the Embassy that “although Fr proposal for ultimate formal authority of SG in MEDO and for SG liaison Mission to MEDO Planning Grp in prelim phase unacceptable, Dept hopeful may be possible work out some interim liaison arrangement which will prove acceptable FonOff.” (780.5/11–1052) The United States reply to the French Note was transmitted to the Embassy in Paris in telegram 3184, December 4, infra.