740.5/10–853
Prime Minister Laniel to President Eisenhower 1
Dear Mr. President: I thank you for your letter of September 21 [20]2 and for having so well understood and appreciated my reasons for deciding not to advance the early date of the visit I plan to make you in Washington.
In answer to your hopes for an early ratification by the French Parliament of the European Defense Community Treaty, I wish to confirm that that major decision is my chief concern.
My Government’s commitment in that connection is binding. In fact, when I was inducted into office by the National Assembly, I stated that [Page 821] I would have the parliamentary debate held as soon as certainty of the settlement of the Saar question, the signature of the interpretative protocols, and definite statements of the closest possible association between Great Britain and the future European Defense Community were obtained.
I have just had the opportunity to affirm my Government’s position publicly and to point out that we are approaching those conditions, of which the last British statements and the anticipated results of the forthcoming meeting between Chancellor Adenauer and President Bidault will, I confidently hope, mark the achievement.
Just as the political facts did not permit the French Government to neglect anything in regard to what were considered by public opinion indispensable guaranties, under penalty of a parliamentary defeat the consequences of which would have been disastrous and incalculable, so it will be our concern, once these guaranties are obtained, to do everything possible to hasten and facilitate the decision.
I firmly hope that the increased freedom of action and authority that the results of the German elections have given the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany as regards its public opinion and its Parliament, will enable him to devote all the understanding necessary to the satisfactory solutions which, I am certain, he sincerely desires to see obtained.
Nor is this good will lacking on the part of France, and I am persuaded that, if it is put at the service of a reconciliation and an understanding which must be the very foundation of the European edifice to which we are dedicated, it will render possible the development of mutual trust and the success of the work of peace which is our sole aim and our supreme hope.
Please accept [etc.]