Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western European Integration and Security, Canada, Volume VII, Part 1

57. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

June 2, 1959.

SUBJECT

• European Integration

PARTICIPANTS

• Ambassador Manlio Brosio, Italian Embassy
• Minister Carlo Perrone–Capano, Italian Embassy
• Acting Secretary Robert Murphy
• Mr. Wells Stabler—WE
• Mr. Frank E. Maestrone—WE

Ambassador Brosio referred to Foreign Minister Pella’s recent visit to the United States to attend the funeral of Secretary Dulles¹ and said that it was Mr. Pella’s impression, after talking with certain other Western European Foreign Ministers present at the funeral, that there was some anxiety about the progress toward the European integration. Some countries, particularly the Benelux, were worried about some aspects of French policies revealed by the recent episode involving the Coal and Steel Community High Authority. Ambassador Brosio explained that Foreign Minister Pella had hoped to discuss this matter with Mr. Murphy but lack of time had prevented this. However, he had requested Ambassador Brosio to ask whether it would be possible for the United States to take steps to encourage the further progress of European integration. Ambassador Brosio recalled that the United States had inspired the establishment of the OEEC and felt that American influence might be exerted to impress upon France the importance of moving forward with European unification. Ambassador Brosio stressed that he had nothing specific to propose but was merely asking whether the United States could do anything that might be helpful in this situation.

The Acting Secretary said that he knew that Ambassador Brosio fully understood that the United States favored European integration. He indicated that we would like to be helpful in this matter. Mr. Murphy said that the three Presidents of the European Community would be here next week and we would have an opportunity to obtain their views on this matter. He explained, however that the emphasis given by General De Gaulle to certain aspects of French policy made this a very sensitive problem which had to be approached with some care.

Ambassador Brosio recalled that the Acting Secretary had previously asked for constructive suggestions as to how to overcome certain problems caused by the French desire for tripartite consultations. The Ambassador suggested that increased United States emphasis on the importance of the European approach might well divert present French interest from the tripartite discussions. The Acting Secretary referred to a recent conversation with Jean Monnet² in which Monnet, a great supporter of European unification, continued to be enthusiastic about its progress. He said Monnet had the impression that General De Gaulle’s thinking on the question of European integration was gradually evolving. Monnet counselled patience believing that this evolution would continue by itself.

Ambassador Brosio referred to a plan once suggested by the present French Prime Minister Debre as a substitute for the European Defense Community. This plan had recommended the establishment of a committee of Foreign Ministers of the Six which would be able to decide political matters by a majority vote. It was the Ambassador’s understanding that this plan no longer found favor with its author, but he thought it might be useful if the US would recall the plan to Debre. Ambassador Brosio remarked that certain official circles in Bonn, in the light of a possible forthcoming change in the West German Government,³ had also become worried over the slowing down of progress toward European unification. The Germans apparently felt that if European unification was not going to succeed, they did not have much time left to chart their future course. In this connection, the Acting Secretary noted that German Vice-chancellor Erhard will soon be visiting Washington and thought that this subject might also be explored with him. He noted that Chancellor Adenauer, when he was here for the Secretary’s funeral, had again emphasized that no change in the German Government’s policy was to be anticipated.

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 840.00/6–259. Confidential. Drafted by Maestrone and initialed by Murphy.
1. May 27. Secretary Dulles resigned on April 16, 1959, and died on May 24.
2. Not further identified.
3. On April 7, Chancellor Adenauer announced his intention to run for the largely ceremonial post of President of the Federal Republic. Adenauer’s announcement set off intense maneuvering within his ruling Christian–Democratic Party among candidates for his succession. On June 10, Adenauer announced he had changed his mind and would remain Chancellor.