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  4. Document 96

96. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, February 18, 1965.

MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER COUVE DE MURVILLE

At our luncheon today I drew Couve de Murville aside and commented quite specifically about President de Gaulle’s reference in his recent press conference to his view that the question of German reunification is a “European question”. I pointed out that the United States has a deep and vital interest in that issue, that our interest in it stemmed from World War II, and that I would like to know from Couve de Murville whether President de Gaulle’s remark implied any diminution of the American role as an essential participant in all matters affecting German reunification and Berlin. He stated categorically that no such implication was present or was intended, that France fully recognizes the United States role in the settlement of such matters.

DR
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 32–4 GER. Confidential. Drafted by Rusk.↩