Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western Europe, Volume VII, Part 2

183. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France⁰

June 17, 1960, 11:06 a.m.

5366. Paris for Embassy and USRO. In light recent developments regarding tripartitism, including Spaak meeting with Acting Secretary on June 13,¹ Department would appreciate Embassy’s comments on following points which appear pertinent in our planning for future consultation:

1. Depth and breadth of opposition of most of NATO countries to tripartitism was amply demonstrated in June 8 NAC meeting.² Spaak reiterated this here. This of course must be one of principal factors to be considered in planning future tripartite meetings. Problem remains also of how we counteract unhappy situation already existing in NATO. Tripartitism is additionally well-known major factor in our bilateral relations with various NATO countries, most acutely at moment with Italians and Canadians.

2. Furthermore much of tripartitism revolves around Africa where there are numerous difficulties in such activity. Paris telegram 5737³ indicates French have in mind further three-power meetings on Africa on more or less regular basis. We would think more of these talks should not be scheduled just now for following reasons:

a. British and French have just concluded bilateral talks in Paris on Africa.⁴

b. We are mounting what is becoming fairly major bilateral exercise (Hare–Seydoux talks) for early next month. Although this began in purely cultural field, it has been expanded to include technical assistance, etc.

c. US officials working on African matters are currently heavily engaged for obvious reasons.

3. Major question is whether de Gaulle is receiving any satisfaction from current exercises. Spaak also raised this point. During recent tripartite Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Washington, Lloyd asked Couve this question directly.⁵ Couve’s answer was somewhat evasive but indicated French might be satisfied with talks in political field, but did not feel their aspirations in military sector have been approached.

4. Le Monde correspondent here recently showed Department officer notes of interview with Couve following most recent tripartite in Washington in which Couve categorically stated there has been no progress in achieving de Gaulle’s tripartite objectives since Summit. (Memo of conversation being pouched.)⁶

5. Fundamental point seems to be whether we can ever give meaningful satisfaction to French without major dislocation of NATO alliance. Furthermore there are US reasons why it is impossible satisfy French in such fields as strategic military planning or in nuclear cooperation (where French of course desire proceed bilaterally).

6. We would also like comment Embassy and USRO on point raised by Spaak in June 13 talk with Acting Secretary in which he recommended that if tripartite meetings such as June 1 dinner held, it would be preferable to hold them as discreetly as possible and without informing NAC, since this merely makes NAC believe formal machinery exists. In this connection Couve’s insistence on tripartitism in remarks to Parliament not helpful.⁷

7. In light foregoing, Department would like Embassy’s views on whether we should continue tripartite effort along present lines or, if it not helping with French while exacerbating relations elsewhere, it would not be preferable to soft-pedal issue somewhat for time being. Basic understandings discussed at highest level in Paris tripartitely on May 18 will obviously continue to be bourne in mind.⁸USRO’s comments of course also highly pertinent. (Embassy should bear in mind that next high-level tripartite meeting now presumably will be in New York at time of opening UNGA.)⁹

Dillon

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770.00/6–960. Secret. Drafted by McBride on June 13; cleared by Kohler, Fessenden, and McElhiney; and approved by Dillon. Repeated to London, Bonn, Rome, and Ottawa.
1. Spaak’s conversation with Dillon on June 13 in Washington, where Spaak reiterated the opposition of most NATO countries to tripartitism, is summarized in Topol 2493 to Paris, June 15. (Ibid., 740.5612/6–1560)
2. The NAC meeting of June 8 is summarized in Polto 2418 from Paris, June 9. (Ibid., 396.1–WA/6–960)
3. Dated June 9. (Ibid., 770.00/6–960)
4. Reference is to the semiannual bilateral U.K.-French discussions on Africa, held in Paris on June 9, noted in despatch 1926 from Paris, June 15. (Ibid., 770.00/6–1560)
5. See Document 178.
6. Not found.
7. Not further identified.
8. See Document 172.
9. The 15th regular session of the U.N. General Assembly opened on September 20.