111. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State 1
Dulte 13. At tripartite meeting May 8 Macmillan proposed that conference with Soviets should be initially at Heads of Government level.2 He suggested that Heads of Government should lay down program of work, in which they would identify subjects for negotiations and decide whether they should be taken up by Foreign Ministers or through other channels. Purpose was to indicate that West was prepared to enter into long and patient series of negotiations with Soviet Union. He said it would have to be made clear both to the Soviets and to public opinion generally that substantive agreements were not to be expected from such a meeting. He thought this would avoid risk of unwarranted hopes and yet meet public expectation. He stressed need for maintaining hope of ultimate settlement through negotiations in order to maintain Western defense efforts.
Pinay agreed with Macmillan’s proposal. I pointed out in detail objections which US had previously had to meeting of Heads of Government for which ground had not been adequately prepared, but said that Macmillan’s present proposal might avoid these difficulties. I made it clear that it was my understanding that Heads of Government would not be expected to reach any substantive agreements, pointing out, however, that even procedural decisions involved grave questions.
I agreed we would consider proposal and subject will be taken up again when I am able to report President’s views, possibly Monday night.
In subsequent quadripartite meeting with Chancellor Adenauer,2 question of level of meeting was not raised with Chancellor, but he was informed that proposal had been made which was under consideration. It was agreed that agenda for meeting with Soviets could not usefully be considered until question of level had been settled. However, Chancellor was informed that German question would be included in agenda. It was agreed that it would be preferable to have meeting somewhere in Switzerland, although I indicated we would not wish to have it in Geneva. Time of meeting was also left for discussion after question of level had been settled. There was general agreement that, after Soviet reply had been received, and if it were [Page 177] affirmative, working group would again have to be convened to undertake further preparatory work for the conference.
It was agreed that brief general report would be made by Pinay at meeting of NATO Ministers on Monday, main purpose of which will be to provide opportunity for expression of views other NATO governments.
No press communiqué was issued after tripartite or quadripartite meetings. It was agreed press would be informed Ministers had had general exchange of views but no decision will be reached until after other NATO Ministers have been consulted.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1/5–955. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution.↩
- Minutes of this meeting are ibid., CFM Files, Box 170, Quadripartite Meetings; see also Dulles’ letter to President Eisenhower, supra .↩
- Minutes of this meeting are ibid., CFM Files, Box 170, Quadripartite Meetings; see also Dulles’ letter to President Eisenhower, supra .↩