Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Austrian State Treaty; Summit and Foreign Ministers Meetings, 1955, Volume V

172. Memorandum of a Conversation, Quai d’Orsay, Paris, July 16, 1955, 9:15 a.m.¹

Paris, July 16, 1955, 9:15 a.m.

PARTICIPANTS

• Foreign Minister Pinay and three members of his staff
• Messrs. Stassen, Robert Bowie, and William Tyler

In response to Mr. Pinay’s request, Mr. Stassen discussed certain preliminary results of the U.S. disarmament studies, in accordance with the points outlined in the July 11, 1955 letter² to the Secretary of State and the Secretary’s concurrence of July 14th [13th].³

Mr. Pinay expressed agreement that reliance must be placed upon the inspection system and not upon any treaty, as such, and that the free world must maintain a posture and legal right such that if an agreement is violated, the free world would not have any less security than they would have had in the absence of an agreement.

He asked whether the Soviet was aware of the progress the U.S. has made in nuclear weapons and of U.S. progress in early warning and defense against attack. He was advised they undoubtedly had considerable awareness, but probably were not completely cognizant.

Mr. Pinay expressed great interest in the objectives of disarmament; asked that Mr. Stassen confer with Mr. Jules Moch;⁴ indicated a preference for no separate talks with Mr. Palewski;⁵ and expressed the hope that he might have a further conference with Mr. Stassen some time after Geneva.

He emphasized the importance of the free nations standing together and of including Germany in the free world association.

HES

1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 494. Confidential.
2. Document 152.
3. See footnote 2, ibid.
4. Jules Moch, French Permanent Representative at the U.N. Disarmament Commission.
5. Gaston Palewski, Deputy Minister to the President of the French Council.