Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Berlin Crisis, 1959–1960; Germany; Austria, Volume IX

106. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State⁰

Paris, March 29, 1960, 8 p.m.

4442. Further to London’s 4708¹ to Dept and Embtel 4415² I summarize Couve’s description of Khrushchev visit to Paris. There were three meetings between De Gaulle and Khrushchev which in effect were two because the meeting the first day was short and consisted mainly of pleasantries. The second day there was a two hour meeting on the subject of Germany. Couve had seen the memorandum of conversation as prepared by the interpreter and corrected by De Gaulle the substance of which is as follows: General De Gaulle opened the conversation. He said that he did not agree with Khrushchev’s fear of Western Germany. That while he hoped unification would come he realized there were now two Germanies which could not be one unless the Soviets agree and that Western Germany was of course much the stronger and more important. It was of prime importance that Western Germany remain with the West for without that there would be no balance in Europe with the probable result of war. Khrushchev did not agree and said that probably he will make a peace treaty with East Germany. De Gaulle replied of course that he could not stop Khrushchev from making a separate treaty but he wondered what it would avail him. France would not recognize the East German Government. The notable point in Couve’s mind was that there was relatively little mention of Berlin which he thinks is further proof that it is not Berlin but the whole German problem that concerns Khrushchev.

[Here follow four paragraphs on the talks about trade and disarmament and on the atmosphere in France during Khrushchev’s visit.]

Houghton

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.6151/3–2960. Secret. Repeated to London.
1. Dated March 28, telegram 4708 from London reported that De Gaulle had told the British Ambassador that there had been no meeting of the minds in his first conversation with Khrushchev on Germany. (Ibid., 641.51/3–2860)
2. Dated March 28, telegram 4415 from Paris reported that Laloy had briefed Lyon on the first meeting between De Gaulle and Khrushchev, most of which was devoted to Germany. (Ibid., 651.61/3–2860)