Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western Europe, Volume VII, Part 2

171. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Dillon to President Eisenhower⁰

May 2, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Report on President de Gaulle’s trip

As you have been informed, General de Gaulle was very enthusiastically received everywhere he went. The reception accorded him was spontaneous and far beyond what he or any other members of the French party had anticipated. He left feeling very happy with the trip.

He was particularly interested to see how the average American lived and worked. He was greatly impressed by what he saw, especially by a half day spent touring the Palo Alto district near San Francisco. Apparently he found the standard of living of American workers to be considerably higher than he had expected. He also appeared surprised at the individuality in the living arrangements and housing of typical Americans. He remarked that Khrushchev had set himself quite a goal in trying to catch up to the United States. It would take a very long time to achieve if it could be done at all.

Substantively, he twice mentioned in New York his firm decision to grant self-determination to the Algerians. He followed this up in San Francisco by a strong statement regarding the rights of all people to self-determination.¹ He emphasized everywhere the importance of individual liberty and freedom and the full support of France for United States objectives in this area.

I am certain that this visit has proved most useful. Any idea he may have had that United States policy is dictated by unfriendly feelings either to himself or to France has certainly been totally dissipated. I do not believe this will lead to any immediate change in de Gaulle’s views on matters of direct interest to the United States, such as the various problems in NATO. However, I am certain that it will permanently influence de Gaulle’s picture of the United States in a favorable manner and will continue to pay dividends as long as he is directing the destiny of France.

Douglas Dillon

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles-Herter Series. Confidential. The source text bears Eisenhower’s initials. A copy of this memorandum is in Department of State, Central Files, 751.11/5–260.
1. For text of de Gaulle’s luncheon speech given at the Hotel Astor in New York on April 26, where he reiterated France’s decision to grant self-determination to the Algerians, see The New York Times, April 27, 1960. The texts of the additional statements in New York and San Francisco have not been found.