Office of the Historian

41. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations0

December 12, 1958, 5:33 p.m.

Topol 2020. Paris pass Embassy for info. Brussels and Luxembourg for USEC and Embassies. USRO deliver McCarthy and Timmons by nine AM Dec 13. Polto Circular 21 and Topol 1941.1

1.
At OEEC Ministerial Meeting and in related bilateral conversations USDel should be guided by following points:
A.
US should continue leave to Europeans initiative in debate and avoid specific comment either on details interim actions by Six or on future negotiating procedures which would put US in position of taking sides. Must use utmost care to avoid any impression that US getting out in front of Europeans this issue.
B.
Should do what is practicable to urge moderation and restraint on all parties both with respect modus vivendi and with respect further study and negotiation question eventual association between Six and Eleven.
C.
Should make clear continuing US support for six-country movement; indicate recognition concerns of Eleven; express hope that interim actions of Six will gain time and facilitate consideration long-term problem.
D.
Should emphasize need for EEC and OEEC countries in future consideration this problem to take full account trading interest entire Free World. FYI—Due fact that new proposals may involve preferential arrangements inconsistent GATT and injurious trade interests US and other non-European countries present situation involves major risks. Consequently US must exercise caution avoid appearance that in eagerness deal with political problem of association between Six and Eleven it is prepared make significant concessions on trade side. End FYI.
2.
Separate message2 contains draft statement which USDel in its discretion may use at Ministerial meeting. Due sensitivity present situation you may wish inform key dels of line US statement will take. You of course authorized make no statement if seems best.
Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 840.00/12–958. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Myerson, cleared with various offices in the Department of State, and signed for Herter by Dillon. Repeated to 17 European posts and Ottawa.↩
  2. Polto Circular 21, December 9, announced that the OEEC Ministerial Meeting was definitely scheduled to open December 15 and the proposals of the six Common Market countries would be circulated that day. (ibid.) In Topol 1941, December 8, the Department of State gave its preliminary assessment of the proposed OEEC Ministerial Meeting. (ibid., 840.00/12–658)↩
  3. Text of this draft statement was contained in Topol 2021, December 12. (ibid., 840.00/12–1258)↩