202. Telegram From the Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State1
2460. I had long and interesting conversation Saturday with Monnet. Theme of his thought was that unusual opportunity has been created for US to reap large dividends of good will from close and generous association with EURATOM. He believes that EURATOM treaty will probably be successfully completed and signed by end of year.
Monnet feels that Middle East events, i.e., closing of Suez Canal and sabotage of pipelines, have amply demonstrated unhealthy dependence of European economy on Middle East oil and necessity for development of alternate source of energy. The only substantial alternate seems to him to be atomic energy, and he feels time is ripe for very far-reaching development of atomic power in Europe, which, because of higher cost of fuel here, could develop much more rapidly than will be the case in continental US.
Monnet feels that public opinion throughout Europe would be captured by a broad scale and generous program of US support for EURATOM, both in the supply of materials and in technical cooperation. This would breathe substantial new life into President’s program “Atoms for Peace” which so far has been considered primarily as fine theory and as propaganda effort and so has failed to make any very solid impression on European public opinion.
Monnet recognizes that Middle East crisis has caused strain on Atlantic solidarity and does not feel that this can be very satisfactorily patched up, except by diverting the attention of public opinion to some other field. He feels that concrete US support of EURATOM [Page 489] would capture European imagination in the same way as the Marshall Plan, and could not be objected to by the Arab states. He feels that such support by the US should meet the US objective of finding some way to tighten our relationships with Europe without at the same time doing damage to our position in the Middle East.
Monnet feels that to obtain maximum of good will for US, it is of great importance that US accept principle that control by EURATOM organization will be adequate for US purposes, thus avoiding necessity for US inspectors in Europe. He realizes that no firm decision by US can be taken prior to finalization of EURATOM treaty, but emphasized importance of this aspect of matter both as means of gaining good will for US and as important element in promoting rapid ratification of treaty.
Monnet recognizes that what he has in mind will probably require amendments to US legislation and will require relatively prompt and very high level support in the US Government if it is to be successful.
I think Monnet’s idea is of real importance and I agree with his views. The US has always favored EURATOM as a means of strengthening European unity. Now, however, I think Monnet is right in feeling that EURATOM presents us with a remarkable new opportunity of improving America’s position with European public opinion. I would recommend that Monnet’s concept be given high level consideration in order that we can be prepared to give prompt and practical support to EURATOM as soon as it comes into being.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 840.1901/11–1956. Confidential. Repeated for information to Bonn, The Hague, London, Luxembourg, Brussels, and Rome.↩