Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 2

Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 137: Telegram

The United States Special Representative in Europe (Draper) to the Department of State ¹

confidential

Paris, February 4, 1953—10 p.m.

Repto 2395. Cotel. Subject: Dulles–Stassen meeting with OEEC Delegates.

1. February 3 Dulles and Stassen received OEEC Delegates comprising Ellis-Rees, Cattani and Marjolin in Ambassador Dunn’s office. Draper, Porter, and Blum present from SRE.

2. Ellis-Rees as spokesman for OEEC group described OEEC activities in rather elementary terms. He emphasized that OEEC, originally a creation of Marshall Plan, now represented common determination of Europeans to cooperate in economic fields. Spoke of its usefulness and indicated that it provided broad basis for economic cooperation from which other organizations, e.g. NATO and CSC, drew support and benefits. Concluded by expression hope that it might be possible for OEEC Delegates go to Washington in near future to discuss common problems arising out of fourth report.

3. Secretary Dulles responded that US was well aware of work of OEEC and EPU and recognized that to extent that any progress had been made in economic cooperation in Europe OEEC was largely responsible. He went on to say that degree of international economic cooperation was not adequate and that unless European countries could improve this situation it would be premature to expect early reduction in US tax barriers. Then brought up question forthcoming international economic talks² to which Ellis-Rees had made no reference. Secretary Dulles said he assumed this problem was very much on minds of European countries and he wished give assurance that US would enter into no commitments with UK without full opportunity for consultation with OEEC. Pointed out that US had no knowledge of contents UK proposals and might simply reject the whole lot but certainly no agreement would be reached without full consultation.

4. Stassen referred to Ellis-Rees suggestion for OEEC delegation to go Washington and said he supported this idea and thought it would be very helpful. Then indicated this his point of view and the principle and timing would have to be reviewed with Treasury, etc, and confirmed. Secretary Dulles agreed such talks should be helpful following UK talks and suggested OEEC prepare memo outlining points such a delegation would wish discuss in Washington. This was agreed. On Stassen’s suggestion it was agreed that best time for such delegation to go, once principle is agreed upon, would be sometime between March 15 and April 15.³

5. Stassen went on to ask about relations between OEEC and NATO to which Marjolin replied by explaining why relationship had to be informal one and ways in which OEEC economic analyses were made available to NATO and provided the raw material for the latter’s more specialized studies. Stassen said he hoped OEEC memo mentioned above would include reference to the role of OEEC in relation to NAC. He also expressed hope that OEEC economic capabilities analyses made for the fourth report and for first phase of 1952 Annual Review would be brought up-to-date for second phase. Marjolin said he was sure this would be done.

Draper

1. Repeated to London, Rome, Brussels, and The Hague.
2. Presumably a reference to the Eden–Butler visit to Washington, scheduled for early March 1953; documentation concerning this visit is presented in volume vi .
3. After coordination with the British concerning their proposed visit to Washington in early March 1953, the Department of State was informed in telegram 4306 from London, Feb. 4, that the OEEC Delegation’s visit to Washington was tentatively scheduled for the third week in March (840.00/2–453). Documentation concerning the OEEC is presented in volume vi .