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

896.1–PA/6–2251: Telegram

The United States Representative at the Four-Power Exploratory Talks (Jessup) to the Secretary of State ¹

Paris, June 22, 1951—1 p. m.

7987. From Jessup. Seventy-fourth and final session deps mtg went as planned. Western deps delivered prepared statements to which Gromyko replied with standard restatement Sov position on NAT item. After Davies read tri declaration (ourtel 7964²) Gromyko said he wld reply at tomorrows mtg. Davies and Jessup informed Gromyko that there wld be no mtg tomorrow and that tri statement clear in this respect; whereupon Gromyko delivered two hour propaganda harangue from prepared text following short recess.

As first speaker Jessup delivered prepared statement contained ourtel 7952.³ Davies followed with prepared statement which:

1. Deplored the negative attitude toward Western attempts to bring about FonMin mtg.

2. Developed Davies usual argument on unacceptability NAT item.

3. Rejected Sov contention that exclusion NAT item from agenda wld place Sovs in position inequality.

4. Stressed that treaties of mutual assistance concluded between countries represented here and other countries are unsuitable for “treatment and for decisions” by FonMins.

5. Emphasized futility further mtgs here and importance of FonMins mtg as means for reaching decision which may improve relations and reduce tension.

Parodi read short statement which:

1. Regretted Sovs unable accept Western invitation.

2. Contrasted Sov insistence on condition (which Sovs knew unacceptable to West) with Western invitation of June 15 which imposed no such condition on Sovs.

3. Noted impossibility further progress of mtgs here.

4. Stressed that discussion mutual assistance treaties were not within competence of Mins, although Mins cld, on basis of complete equality, express their own interpretation of causes and effects of tension under general clauses in Item I.

5. Stressed that agenda was not an end in itself but merely means to an end and more important task was establishment of mutual goodwill at Mins mtg.

6. Expressed view that large measure agreement reached here wld facilitate work of Mins.

Apparently without full understanding of what had been said, Gromyko delivered standard restatement of Sov position on NAT item. At conclusion Gromyko’s remarks Davies, as chairman read tri declaration (ourtel 7964) on behalf three dels. Gromyko responded that he reserved right to make statement at tomorrows mtg on tri declaration and on individual statements of three deps. Davies replied that Gromyko had heard declaration and that it was self-explanatory. He said that if Gromyko had any statement to make he cld do so through diplomatic channels as stated in declaration. Gromyko repeated his previous statement and added that if three reps did not agree to meet tomorrow they shld say so directly. After two further exchanges in same vein Davies inquired if anyone else desired to speak. Jessup seconded Davies statement and emphasized finality of Western position by leading third para tri declaration and sentence immediately preceding. After further confirmation that Western deps did not agree to meet tomorrow, Gromyko said he had a statement to make at current mtg and suggested an intermission. After brief intermission Gromyko launched on two hour propaganda harangue reading from prepared text. In laying blame of deadlock here on Western powers, Gromyko went through various Western and Sov agenda proposals from beginning of conference, restating Sov position thereon in detail. He devoted majority of his remarks to usual Sov charges on aggressive nature of NAT and US bases, citing all recent developments to substantiate his thesis.

Regarding the tri statement Gromyko said it cld not be considered as anything but an act by West to prevent convocation of CFM and that responsibility for situation as developed here wld be born by West, whose obstructionist tactics did not permit agreement on an agenda.

At conclusion of Gromyko’s remarks Davies said if no one else desired to speak, the mtg was adjourned.

(Verbatim text of statements by Davies, Parodi and Gromyko being air pouched Dept.)

[ Jessup ]

1. Repeated to London, Moscow, Vienna, Frankfurt, and Bonn.

2. Not printed. The statement under reference read:

   • 1. On June 15 the Three Western Govts communicated a renewed invitation to the Soviet Govt to attend a meeting of the Four Foreign Ministers on the basis of the large measure of agreement reached at the Paris Conf on an agenda and taking into account the views of the Sov Govt and the Three Western Govts concerning the chief point in disagreement.
   • 2. As has been fully explained by the three reps today, the Sov Govt’s reply of June 19 constitutes a rejection of this invitation since it is a reaffirmation of the position previously taken up by the Sov Govt. The experience of the deputies in resuming their meetings in accordance with the proposal made in the Sov note of June 4 shows that the continuation of this discussion has no practical utility.
   • 3. The invitation to the Sov Govt for a meeting of the Four Foreign Ministers, in accordance either with the notes of the Three Western Govts of May 31 or those of June 15, 1951, remains open and the Three Govts express the hope that the Sov Govt, after further consideration, will find it possible to transmit through the diplomatic channel its acceptance of this invitation. In this case, if necessary, reps of the Four Govts could meet immediately in order to settle the date and other detailed arrangements for the meeting of Ministers.” (396.1–PA/6–2151)

3. Not printed. For the text of Jessup’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, July 2, 1951, pp. 14–16.