96. Telegram From the Delegation at the London Working Group to the Department of State1

4785. From Beam. First meeting working group this morning, Harrison representing United Kingdom, Seydoux France.2 No communiqués to be issued.

U.K. emphasized three govts committed early meeting with Soviets but working group should stress procedure not substantive questions. French proposed review substantive questions but indicated it would be difficult formulate recommendations.

Despite United States proposal keep NATO Council currently informed progress, U.K. and French doubted value presenting a more than general outline proceedings; subcomite to draft progress report for NATO early next week.

Agreed invite Germans participate Thursday morning prior Blankenhorn’s departure Bonn for AdenauerPinay Saar talks. In accordance U.S. suggestion, Germans will attend as many plenary meetings as possible.

U.K. opened afternoon meeting by expressing hope all would enter conference optimistically and seeking genuine solution with Soviets; must accept possibility Soviets will be more fluid and may accept Eden Plan. French said French public opinion expects concrete results; must approach meeting in spirit détente; expressed worry regarding dangers German neutralization (French could not accept this), but must go beyond Berlin positions since less would not appear represent [Page 152] genuine effort at negotiation. U.S. stressed necessity take advantage strengthened Western unity, emphasize confidence and optimism; only such posture has chance inducing Soviets to modify policies towards Europe.

U.S. in answer U.K. question on timing conference said we had no exact instructions, although Secretary had tentatively suggested late summer. U.K. said conference not possible until mid-July at earliest due lack U.K. Govt prior mid-June. French indicated July 1, earliest possible. U.K. suggested Ministers might discuss conference with Molotov at Vienna or possibly June meeting in San Francisco;3 however committed to sending some type communication to Soviets between May 9–10. U.S. said Foreign Ministers themselves must consider timing at NATO meeting, particularly in light progress on Austrian treaty.

Following sites for conference mentioned for consideration Ministers: Berlin, by U.K. (opposed by all since Adenauer objects); Vienna, by U.K. (generally opposed as intimating Austrian solution for Germany); Lugano, by French (opposed by U.S. and U.K. due lack telecommunications); Stockholm, by U.K. (French do not like); Geneva, by U.K. (all felt psychologically not wise); Paris and London, by U.S. (objected to by U.K., who felt all NATO countries out due possibility Soviet rejection and counter-proposal of Moscow).

U.K. said committed to tell public during or immediately after NATO meeting that approach being made to Soviets. U.S., U.K. favored note possibly presented by Ambassadors and released thereafter to press. French opposed sending written notes to Soviets and want approach to be more serious and supple. French said will reconsider.

U.K. then read following instructions: “U.K. proposes approach to Soviet Govt for meeting four heads of government should be held to discuss all outstanding points at difference between Russia and three Western allies. This, of course, would not exclude continuance of practice of meeting four Foreign Ministers to discuss an agreed agenda.” U.K. said this proposal did not preclude continuance preparation for Foreign Ministers meeting by working group, although U.K. said Foreign Ministers meeting prior to meeting at top might be neither necessary nor proper. U.S. expressed grave reservations in light constitutional difficulties and risks of approach of this kind; question could only be settled by Ministers unless prior instructions received. U.K. said any U.K. Govt which did not provide for meeting at top would be in danger in the elections. Group agreed keep question [Page 153] secret, although French doubted this could be done (Amb Aldrich informed of foregoing).

Re German participation in Foreign Ministers conference, all agreed in principle this depends on FedRep decision; latter must take responsibility.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1/4–2755. Secret. Repeated to Paris, Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, and Vienna.
  2. Members of the U.S. Delegation met twice with their British counterparts on April 26 to discuss, inter alia, disarmament, European security, the agenda for a four-power meeting, and German participation in the working group. (Telegrams 4759 and 4760 from London, April 26; ibid., 396.1/4–2655)
  3. See Documents 7375 and 143.