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

40. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France⁰

Washington, November 14, 1959, 5:36 p.m.

2057. Paris for USRO. As announced Secretary met with French, British, and German Ambassadors on November 4.¹ It was agreed (and confirmed by governments) they would constitute steering group to meet periodically as developments warrant for exchange of views on matters relating to Western and East-West summits. Also agreed working level representatives of Embassies and Department should meet regularly for preliminary discussions. First such meeting held November 10 by Kohler (Chairman), Hood (UK), Lebel (France), Krapf (Germany), and assistants. Following is summary this meeting.²

Timing of East-West Summit. U.S. and British expressed preference early summit but recognized their views conditioned by timing Khrushchev visit to Paris. French indicated De Gaulle especially concerned that East-West summit should convene after Khrushchev Paris visit and apparently thinking in terms May rather than April. U.S. noted schedule events and Presidential commitments in practice fixed May 17 as terminal date and that we would prefer aiming at April 20–25 for commencement East-West summit. U.S. further indicated postponement summit to late spring makes it impractical to consider another summit before new administration installed.

Disarmament. U.S. believes East-West summit should precede convening date ten-power disarmament group on grounds this would present opportunity for heads of government consider general principles and convey guidance ten-power group. French took position it might prove awkward tackle complex disarmament questions without having had ten-power group explore issues first.

Summit Philosophy and Agenda. U.S. expressed view East-West summit could take place without a formal detailed agenda as long as adequate advance effort made by West to control public expectations. This would permit discussions wide range of subjects without raising composition problems. British stressed view coming summit should be first of series. While believing international differences could only be resolved gradually, British believe possibility exists reach interim agreement on Berlin at coming conference. French felt summit should be thoroughly prepared to ensure some concrete result. Both French and Germans expressed view problems surrounding Berlin and Germany should be under-played in hope status quo could be maintained. Also their view that this aim might be facilitated by giving question disarmament prominence.

Composition. All agreed East-West summit should be restricted to participants 1955 Geneva summit.

U.S. undertook provide to others preliminary estimate Soviet intentions re summit as basis further discussion.

Next meeting probably early next week at which time it hoped French will be prepared clarify De Gaulle’s proposals for summit discussion internal interference and aid to underdeveloped countries.³

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/14–1459. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Dubs and McSweeney on November 13, cleared with Fessenden and Vigderman, and approved by Kohler who signed for Herter. Repeated to London, Moscow, Rome, and Bonn.
1. A memorandum of Herter’s conversation with Ambassadors Grewe, Alphand, and Caccia on November 4 is ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D199.
2. No other record of this meeting has been found.
3. At their second meeting on November 17, Kohler, Hood, Lebel, and Krapf discussed the timing of a summit meeting, its agenda, disarmament, NATO liaison with the working group, and working documents for further discussion. (Telegram 2096 to Paris, November 18; Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/11–1859)