Office of the Historian

346. Memorandum of Conversation0

MCT MC/9
June 9, 1958, 4 p.m.

MACMILLAN TALKS

SUBJECT

  • Anglo-American Relations with General de Gaulle’s Government

[Here follows the same list of participants as Document 344.]

The Secretary raised the question of what general policy the US and UK should adopt vis-à-vis General de Gaulle and his Government. [3–1/2 lines of source text not declassified] The President believed that we should specify subjects where we want General de Gaulle’s participation and perhaps take the initiative in asking him in. [2 lines of source text not declassified] He cited the Summit preparations and NATO problems as examples of questions in which General de Gaulle should be brought in.

[Here follows further discussion of this subject.]

[1–1/2 lines of source text not declassified] the Secretary agreed, and summarized the consensus on this subject as follows:

We would undertake a tripartite relationship with de Gaulle in those areas where there exist an historical basis for it, such as in the Summit preparations and the re-unification of Germany. Otherwise, we will deal with the French through bilateral arrangements and, when appropriate, through NATO. [2 lines of source text not declassified]

  1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 1022. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted by Dale and approved by the White House. See also Documents 344–345 and 347.↩