Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 1

740.00/3–1552: Telegram

No. 11
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State¹

secret

London, March 15, 1952—1 p.m.

4064. Nutting, FonOff Parl UnderSecty, informs us that Brit will be forced to vote against most articles Council of Eur draft constitution be considered at comite mins mtg March 19 in Paris. In effort offset this negative approach, Brit intend proposing executive and legislative functions Schuman plan and EDC be brought under Council of Eur umbrella.

For example Schuman plan Council of Ministers might be constituted as sub-comite Council of Eur comite mins. Nutting said he mentioned this to new Ital Amb Thursday who surprised and encouraged him by expressing approval.

Above discussed later with chief west orgs dept who said cable being drafted to countries in Council Europe so that FonMins can be prepared for Brit proposal. Purpose is to give actual functions to Council Europe thus strengthening it and at same time avoid setting up plethora of organs with related functions. Brit not optimistic proposals will be accepted. Nutting will go with Eden to Paris.

Gifford

1. Repeated to Paris.