Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western European Integration and Security, Canada, Volume VII, Part 1

161. Telegram From the Mission at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations to the Department of State⁰

Paris, October 15, 1958, 5 p.m.

Polto 992. Eyes Only for Secretary from Burgess. Following is text Spaak reply to your letter October 10.

“Dear Mr. Dulles: I have received your letter of October 10.¹ I thank you particularly for your kind reference to my Boston speech.

When Mr. Burgess gave me your letter I was able to have him read the first draft of a note which I intend to have transmitted to General De Gaulle and of which I am sending you a copy.²

You will once again note, and this pleases me, that our reactions follow the same pattern.

Like you, I think that the problem posed by General De Gaulle is important and real; like you, I think that the proposed solution is not a happy one and that it might even be dangerous; lastly, I feel as you do that the real procedure to be followed is to discuss the problem at the Ministerial meeting in December.

For this meeting I intend to circulate a note on the political consultation in NATO during the past year and to avail myself of the opportunity thus given me to take up the matters which are giving us concern.

It is obvious that the subject is vast and complicated, and that we must be very careful not to destroy, on the pretext of improvement, that which has already been accomplished and which is, after all, a considerable achievement.

The note I am transmitting to Mr. Burgess contains only my first reactions. I intend to go into this work thoroughly, and shall inform you of the development of my ideas since you are good enough to show an interest in them.

If the Government of the United States thinks it necessary to answer General De Gaulle soon, I believe that without antagonizing him, that is, while agreeing to discuss the idea of the problems posed by him, it would be necessary to indicate how uncertain, and at the same time dangerous, the solution of a tripartite organization would be.

Chancellor Adenauer, who is greatly disturbed by all of this, has begged me to come to see him in Bonn. I shall pay him a visit on October 24.

Please accept, dear Mr. Dulles, the assurance of my high consideration. P.H. Spaak.”

Burgess

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 740.5/10–1558. Secret; Niact; Official Translation. A copy of this message in French is ibid., 396.1–PA/10–1558.
1. Document 160.
2. See footnote 5, Document 160.