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

315. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

US/MC/13

London, August 31, 1959, 2:30 p.m.

PRESIDENT’S TRIP TO EUROPE¹

August-September 1959

PARTICIPANTS

• United States
  • The President
  • The Secretary of State
  • Ambassador Lodge
  • Colonel Walters (Interpreter)
  • Mr. McBride
• Spanish
  • Foreign Minister Castiella
  • Ambassador Areilza
  • Mr. Sedo
  • Mr. Pinies

SUBJECTS

• Khrushchev Visit; Spanish Relations with other States; Economic Program; African Problems

After expressing satisfaction at the President’s excellent state of health, Foreign Minister Castiella said he did not bring any problems with him but only the gratitude of Spain for US assistance and the admiration of Spain for the efforts which the President was making on behalf of world peace. The President thanked the Foreign Minister for his remarks. Mr. Castiella said that the gratitude of Spain went beyond merely what had been done for his country but included the President’s efforts on behalf of Western Europe as a whole.

The President expressed pleasure at the letter from General Franco ² and particularly at the statement expressing understanding of the President’s reasons in undertaking the exchange of visits with Khrushchev. He also agreed with the statement in the letter to the effect that the world situation had not changed and that this was no time for inertia or inaction. He said he hoped to have a reply to General Franco’s letter which Secretary Herter could hand him during their more extended conversation later,³ and inquired regarding General Franco’s health which Mr. Castiella confirmed was excellent. Mr. Castiella added that he would be proud if the President could visit Spain. The President replied that he would of course like to make such a visit if possible.

The President noted that he had wanted to visit Spain during his tour as SACEUR in Paris but that circumstances had made it impossible at that time since the attitudes of such NATO countries as the UK, France and the Scandinavian countries had been unfavorable. Castiella said that the Socialist governments of some of the NATO countries still remained opposed to Spanish membership in NATO, and that some conservative governments took the same attitude because of electoral considerations. He said Spain actually had less prejudices than some of the so-called liberal countries. The President noted the gradual improvement in the situation insofar as Spanish membership in NATO was concerned.

Mr. Castiella said that Spain had been working hard to improve her relations with other countries throughout the world. He noted the excellent relations which Spain enjoyed not only with the Latin American countries but also with the Arab states. He said most recently Spain had been concentrating on improving relations with her European neighbors. He said relations with France were infinitely better and noted the curious fact that this improvement had begun when a Leftist, Pierre Mendes-France, was Prime Minister of France. He said the same phenomenon had occurred with Belgium where improved relations dated from the days of the Socialist Foreign Minister, Larock.

The President referred with gratification to the new Spanish economic program and the fact that it was being vigorously pursued. He was glad to see that Spain could follow the rules of the IMF which he thought were good ones. Castiella said he would like to thank the US not only for its material assistance in connection with the economic stabilization program but also for the fact that Spain had been certain she could count on our moral support. The President replied that this program must succeed, and Castiella agreed, and added it was essential to fight inflation in Spain.

Mr. Castiella said Spain was the most anti-Communist country in the world so he thought General Franco’s letter approving of the Khrushchev visits might be useful in countries behind the Iron Curtain as showing that there was no change in US policies. The President said that Turkey also was strongly anti-Communist. Castiella stated that Spain had excellent relations with Turkey and with the other Mediterranean countries, Greece and Italy.

The President expressed the hope that a solution to current African problems could be found, as this would make the situation in the whole Mediterranean infinitely better. He hoped an acceptable solution could be found to the Algerian question. Castiella said the Spanish Government was very concerned at the North African picture with which Spain had had an association that dated back to Roman days. He noted Spain had been in both Ceuta and Melilla since before the discovery of America. He said Spain believed that the North African peoples were currently politically unstable and lacked the necessary qualities for stability. He said it would be a tragedy if France were forced to leave Algeria and, as a result, Communism were able to infiltrate and turn the Mediterranean flank of Europe.

The President said that the spirit of nationalism was the most powerful force in the world today, and that the pull of independence was stronger than that of Communism. Communism uses nationalism, he added, and our problem was how these peoples could be assisted to find true self-government and nationalistic existence without falling prey to Communism. The President said it was impossible to use force in this context. Castiella said it was a mistake to look on these peoples as if they were Europeans. He agreed it was important to help them along the road to independence and pointed out that Spain had good relations with Morocco and had endeavored to help the Moroccans. The President said the problem was to ascertain what course of action we should follow. Castiella said it was a question of timing, and these steps should be taken bit by bit. The President pointed out that unfortunately nationalism is impatient and wants independence quickly.

Mr. Castiella said it was important not to confuse the North African masses with a few Sorbonne-educated individuals. He noted the liberal offer of de Gaulle to the African states which had resulted in the independence of Guinea. He said the outcome had been a failure because the Guineans had signed agreements with the Soviets and were now accepting arms from them. He said the Tunisian, Algerian and Moroccan peoples were quite different from the other African peoples as they were Mediterraneans separated by a sea of sand from the other Africans. He concluded saying we must not deny assistance to those seeking independence but should seek to do this by stages. The President repeated that we were in agreement we should not keep any of Africa as a colony but pointed out it was difficult to proceed in gradual stages because of the impatience of nationalism.

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1749. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Drafted by McBride and approved by Goodpaster on September 2. The meeting was held at the U.S. Embassy Residence.
1. The President and the Secretary of State were visiting Bonn, London, and Paris to brief Western European officials on the forthcoming visit of Khrushchev to the United States.
2. For text of Franco’s letter, August 24, and the President’s reply, September 2, see Department of State Bulletin, September 21, 1959, pp. 404–405.
3. See Document 316. A summary of both conversations was sent in Secto 35 from London, September 7. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.52/9–159)