137. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State0
1196. President Eisenhower’s visit to Paris was unqualified success in creating vastly improved atmosphere and in relieving heightened tension in Franco-American relations. Visit had been awaited with almost unprecedented interest and result was personal triumph for President of whom French got new and reassuring picture as man, as Head of State and as symbol of free world leadership.
Personality of de Gaulle, his insistent demands for recognition of France’s greatness and place in world, sensitivities created by series of disagreements between France and United States and fear talks might prove difficult gave visit to France certain characteristics not found in visits to England and Germany.
As regards de Gaulle, it quickly became obvious he sincerely wished visit to be complete success. His manner was gracious, friendly and relaxed. During weeks preceding President’s arrival French press had devoted much space to French “diplomatic isolation” and to typical Gallic skepticism. Much had been made of existence of basic differences on important issues and on dissatisfaction of de Gaulle with United States failure to respond favorably to demands for actions such as tripartite consultation which would provide form of recognition of France’s role in world. Speeches by Prime Minister Debre had heightened anxiety and sensitivity on part of French people. President Eisenhower’s public statements were vastly reassuring to them.1
Atmosphere started to change markedly (undoubtedly under GOF guidance) approximately week before President’s arrival in Paris. Non-Communist press ceased being skeptical and became encouraging. This changed point of view has continued to mark press commentary since visit and although there has been much speculation re possible commitments on substantive political problems which may have been made during talks, we doubt there has been any very real belief that solution of specific political problems would, in fact, be immediately forthcoming. However, there is grateful confidence that personal contact between President and de Gaulle resulted in broad understanding of mutual positions which will enable outstanding differences to be [Page 281] resolved, will be basis for steady improvement in relations in coming months, and will prevent future misunderstandings. French will be looking for concrete development which will give substance to this belief and reassure them of United States friendship for and support of France.
Immediate problem on which French are looking to United States for support is Algeria. Following on press reports that Hagerty had said United States would make statement following declaration on Algeria by General de Gaulle,2 press has given increasingly strong impression that United States is now going to support France in General Assembly. Attitude United States may adopt towards Algerian problem following de Gaulle declaration3 will unquestionably be regarded by French as test case of our real intentions.
French welcomed with great satisfaction statement in communiqué re expansion of consultation on all major problems, political as well as military.4 This was interpreted as an appreciable success for de Gaulle and has led to expectation that we shall consult France on same basis as United Kingdom and that this consultation will include those parts of world outside of Europe and NATO where France feels particular responsibilities.
There was less interest in problem of East-West relations, partly because attention primarily focused on state of Franco-United States relations and partly because President and de Gaulle were known to have similar views on possible summit meeting and on need for firmness over Berlin.
Nevertheless, French opinion was reassured on matter of exchange of visits between President and Khrushchev, while President’s attention in Paris to NATO and SHAPE was reassuring to United States’ other NATO Allies. Certainly no one was left in doubt of President’s deeply sincere desire seek peaceful solutions to world problems.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/7–1559. Confidential. Repeated to London, Bonn, and Rome. A copy in the Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International Meetings, bears Eisenhower’s initials.↩
- For texts of Eisenhower’s public statements made in Paris September 2–4, see Department of State Bulletin, September 21, 1959, pp. 410–413.↩
- See The New York Times, September 4, 1958.↩
- See footnote 5, Document 130.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 135.↩