442. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State1
25032. Subject: French Position on the Treaty of Tlatelolco. Ref: State 198484.2
1. According to Francis Beauchataud (Acting Chief of MFA Pacts and Disarmament Office), the French have had preliminary discussions with Treaty organization in order to clarify some uncertain aspects of Protocol I and will continue these talks in September. One major juridical sticking point is French insistence that overseas departments in South America and Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana) be explicitly recognized as “de jure” a part of France and not allowed to float along under the vague Protocol rubric of “de facto or de jure” territories. In more general terms, Beauchataud characterized Protocol I as an “assortment of compromises” for which France, as a non-participant in the negotiating process, would need fuller explanation before signing.
2. Comment: Beauchataud made no reference to a Giscard visit to Mexico. (The French President is scheduled to visit Brazil.) He placed no urgency on French adherence to Protocol I, referring instead to a rather open-ended negotiating process beginning in the fall. These talks would serve to clarify the numerous ambiguities in the Protocol which the French now perceive.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780327–0403. Confidential. Sent for information to Mexico.↩
- In telegram 198484 to Paris, August 7, the Department of State asked the Embassy for an update on the French position on the Treaty and information on a possible August trip by Giscard to Mexico. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780322–1011)↩