32. Telegram From the Mission at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations to the Department of State0
Paris, July 28,
1958, 5 p.m.
Polto 374. Luxembourg for Butterworth. Department pass ICA and Treasury. Geneva for USDel. Subject: CIG meeting 24–25 July—summary.
- 1.
- Overall impression was that expressed by Maudling that “log jam shows distinct sign of breaking” and that “position is now both clearer and more hopeful”. First session was solemn, chaired by unsmiling Maudling and opened in atmosphere of suspense on part of eleven awaiting position of Six finalized night before. By late afternoon, pessimistic atmosphere had considerably cleared and Maudling in his summary stated that meeting had been extremely valuable and there had been “a lot of progress in spirit.” No one, however, looks forward to smooth sailing or feels that difficult compromises will not have to be made.
- 2.
- In a sense Six were in position of star performers. Six for first time gave strong impression of real team work and carefully prepared agreed positions. Major statements (Erhard, Mansholt, Rey) were all from written documents and others of Six only spoke occasionally, making brief explanatory or supporting comments. This may in part have been due to presence three new representatives from Belgium, Italy, and France. Only instances of pure national positions were statements of Erhard and Mueller-Armack on certain aspects of LDC questions and Wormser on origin and LDCs. Except for question of a provisional agreement, discussion of which was postponed until next session, suggestions of Six for continuance of work were carried out. (Origin, agriculture, LDCs) Undoubtedly arduous labor of Ockrent committee must have been big asset in making possible degree of agreement achieved among Six.
- 3.
- It was a meeting in which all scored points with some losses. Origin follow-up based on Steering Board report for sector study was recommendation of Six and victory for France especially, whereas Maudling unable to get any discussion of his paper. On agriculture, memorandum of Six will be used as basis future discussion but together with earlier UK paper.1LDC succeeded in getting specific reference to European [Page 60] Development Agency, which Maudling had omitted in his brief paper, in new terms of reference for WP 23, but lost in obtaining agreement in principle to establishment of agency. Eleven were definitely in control of discussion on possibility of provisional agreement by using delaying tactics, but Six have satisfaction of having introduced idea which will undoubtedly be of major importance later and on which Rey agreed to produce document. The more mature of the eleven took considerable satisfaction in seeming eagerness of representatives of EEC to avoid what eleven claim would be discrimination after January.
- 4.
- For the moment, therefore, danger of tragic break off followed by recriminations has been avoided and normal atmosphere of continuing negotiations resumed. For the future, in addition to willingness of eleven countries to make compromises which seem inevitable, key to situation rests with ability of Six to arrive at an agreement on a negotiable document, which of course, means the ability of five to persuade France. Question remains how French desire to avoid responsibility for splitting Europe can be reconciled with French political difficulties in selling FTA to patronat and Parliament. Long CIG meeting scheduled for October crucial.
Burgess