Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

740.5/11–1451: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bruce) to the Acting Secretary of State ¹

secret priority

Paris, November 14, 1951—9 p. m.

2883. Subj is Eur def forces. Mins of six countries participating EDF conf will meet tomorrow in Paris to exchange views on progress of treaty. Mtg apparently called on request Van Zeeland, and discussion will probably center around Belg position in conf.

In addition to opposing common budget and common armament program as reported in Embtels 2484, October 27;² 2602, November 1 [2];³ and 2727, November 7 [8]⁴ Belgs have now made clear that they consider EDF as special force added to rather than replacing national armies. They have proposed specifically that any member state should have right to maintain national forces outside EDF without limits.

We are informed that French and Italian Mins intend to oppose Belg position firmly, and expect to be supported by Hallstein. Alphand said to have told Belg del at recent private meeting that if certain countries participating in conf would not accept basic principle of common force, he saw no alternative for them but to withdraw. Luxembourg Min expected to support Belg. Dutch position not clear, but statements by Dutch del in conf give impression that Dutch are veering to support of Belg position.

Bruce

1. This telegram was repeated for information to London, Rome, The Hague, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Luxembourg.
2. Ante, p. 902.
3. Ante, p. 911.
4. Ante, p. 914.