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

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

June 17, 1958, 5:31 p.m.

4743. Paris tel 5950.¹ Dept much interested in Mollet’s remarks.

1. Re para 5 on NATO. Sources close to de Gaulle continue stress he wishes France play stronger role in NATO. Other reports have indicated his alleged dissatisfaction with NATO command structure. Department would be interested in receiving on continuing basis any clarification that may be discreetly obtained as to what specifically de Gaulle has in mind.²

2. Para 7. It is highly doubtful that Soustelle could play useful role here in furthering French-American relations despite his familiarity with Algerian situation. Is this device remove Soustelle temporarily from Paris and Algiers political scene? Leave to Embassy’s discretion whether feasible or wise endeavor discourage Soustelle trip to US.

Dulles

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751.00/6–1458. Confidential. Drafted by Looram; cleared by the Office of European Regional Affairs, the Executive Secretariat, and Murphy; and approved by Elbrick. Repeated to London.
1. Document 21.
2. The following sentence was deleted from the final text of this paragraph as sent to Paris: “Is it merely question emphasis as to France’s role giving for example greater importance to activities French Military Representative on Standing Group or does he contemplate revision NATO command structure?”