442. Delegation Record of Meeting0
SMALL STAFF MEETING
PRESENT
- The Secretary
- Mr. Merchant
- Mr. Reinhardt
- Mr. Berding
- Mr. Smith
- Mr. Irwin
- Mr. Stimpson
Khrushchev’s Health
1. After a discussion of reports about Khrushchev’s health, it was agreed that Mr. Reinhardt would ask British Ambassador Reilly his impressions/Ambassador Reilly, who is now in Geneva, had apparently seen Khrushchev on July 9.
Conference Tactics
2. With regard to today’s plenary session, Mr. Merchant said that we must not overlook the fact that these are primarily propaganda operations. He suggested that the Secretary attack the All-German Commission concept of the Soviets and recapitulate the Western Peace Plan more thoroughly than Couve de Murville had done yesterday. He might highlight the basic differences between the Western Peace Plan and the Soviet All-German proposal. The Secretary said that he did not want to focus on the Soviet plan, and pointed out that we had not yet discussed our plan for a four-power commission with German advisors. He thought today might be a good time to introduce the proposal to have the UN monitor propaganda activities in Berlin, emphasizing the reciprocal aspect of this proposal. There appears to be an impression that we are making a unilateral concession in this regard and we should correct this impression. The Secretary noted that Selwyn Lloyd wanted to go even further than we did as he wished to have the UN police the access routes to Berlin. The Secretary said that he was convinced that Hammarskjold would not accept the proposal since it would involve executive responsibility for the UN which Hammarskjold does not want. After further discussion it was agreed: [Page 992]
- 1)
- that Mr. Smith would undertake to prepare a speech for the Secretary in which the UN proposal would be the principal part;
- 2)
- our allies would be asked in the coordinating committee this morning to agree to this type of speech; and
- 3)
- provided allied agreement is obtained, Hammarskjold would be notified prior to the Secretary’s speech of the intention to mention the UN monitoring proposal.
Selwyn Lloyd Optimistic
3. Mr. Merchant said that in a conversation last evening Selwyn Lloyd had been “incredibly optimistic” about developments in the conference.1 He appeared to believe that agreement had been virtually achieved and that the conference could end in several days.
German Situation
4. Mr. Merchant said he had been asked to lunch by German Ambassador Grewe tomorrow. Grewe had indicated that he wanted to discuss frankly some of the difficulties the Germans are facing.
American Club Speech
5. Mr. Berding confirmed that the Secretary’s speech at the American Club of Geneva today would be informal and would not deal with any matter of policy. The Secretary said that he intended merely to say a few words. There will be no release of his remarks.