840.00/3–349: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
889. Eyes only for Douglas. Harriman and I called on Schuman this afternoon and presented to him informal memorandum1 based upon Deptel 573 of February 242 regarding military assistance program. Memorandum is similar to that handed British March 1, but was somewhat more detailed. Copy being airpouched.
Schuman read the memorandum carefully in our presence and after raising certain points, expressed general agreement with program and [Page 147] concepts. We informed him of the talks with British. He plans discussion our memorandum with Prime Minister and Ministers of Defense and Finance and may then request meeting similar to second meeting held in London. Schuman believes that, as tentatively proposed by Bevin, a meeting of the Council of Western Europe on about March 14 could formalize Western Union request for aid on which MAP is to be based.
Our meeting lasted over an hour and permitted clarification and underlining of all principal points in reference telegram. Schuman believes that London committees have prepared sufficient data for Western Union military program to serve as basis for request to LTS.
We made clear that MAP represents combined thinking of Department of State, ECA and military authorities, and that priority of economic recovery is basis.
We made clear to Schuman that MAP would, according to our present thinking, be presented to Congress following presentation of Atlantic Pact, but prior to completion of action on pact. He said that public knowledge of existence of MAP would be most useful to him in presentation of pact to French Assembly.
Schuman envisages public education in France as coming in connection with presentation to Assembly of Atlantic Pact and of possibility of implementation of mutual assistance clause thereof.
With reference to reciprocal aid to US concept, we said that though certain reciprocal commitments would be expected, we did not have any specific proposals as yet on this important phase of the program but that in course of detailed discussions, we reserved right to make suggestions and would make suggestions on this point which Schuman appeared to regard as entirely acceptable and in accordance with his interpretation of Vandenberg resolution.
It is interesting to note that Schuman in general treated MAP as something which he had long been awaiting and which he believed would be of assistance to French Government in fighting Communist attacks. We agreed that this program must be presented as a part of our whole effort for peace and security. We also said that the presentation of the program at this time was an indication of our great confidence in France. Schuman seemed highly pleased and said that he would confer at once with Queuille, Ramadier and Petsche,3 on what he termed “this most important subject.” He agreed fully that matter should be kept top secret until Western Union countries have formalized requests along lines contemplated.
[Page 148]We informed Schuman of our plans for approaching Belgians, Dutch, and Luxembourgers.
Sent Department 889, repeated London 177.