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

740.00/3–2052: Telegram

No. 13
The Chargé in France (Bonsal) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Paris, March 20, 1952—2 p.m.

5725. 1. Most noteworthy development in regular business of opening mtg yesterday of tenth session of comite of Mins of Council of Europe was UK FonMin Eden’s expected proposal concerning integration of institutions of Schuman Plan, European Army and future similar pools with existing organs of C of E. In discussion occasioned by consideration of Assembly recommendations 21 (aims and prospects of a Eur policy) and 23 (new statute of C of E), Eden proposed CM accept principle of integration these organs and assign to CM deps task of working out detailed plan of reorganization for approval by CM at next mtg just prior May Assembly session.

2. In presenting proposal, Eden made statement along fol lines:

C of E in danger of becoming stranded between two main streams: Atlantic community, wide association which without formal surrender of sovereignty is achieving increasing unity of purpose and action through NATO, and Eur community, smaller grp of states which moving towards polit federation by progressive establishment of organizations exercising supra natl powers in limited fields.

In attempt to acquire limited authority but real powers, Assembly drafted new statute which transforms what is now purely consultative body into quasi-federal institution with legislative and exec powers. If new statute adopted it wld make things very difficult for UK.

More promising future for C of E wld lie in remodeling of organization so that its organs cld serve as institutions of coal-steel community, EDC and any future organizations of same structure and membership. Advantage wld be: C of E given valuable work to do; duplication avoided; coal-steel community and EDC wld be provided with ready-made machinery.

C of E already served useful purpose as mainspring of plans for Eur unity and adjustment to bring it into focus with Eur community wld be logical development. On occasions CM and Assembly cld meet on six power basis for EDC, etc; at same time both CM and Assembly wld continue on 15 power basis as at present. Full council wld also discuss questions relating to Eur community of gen interest to WE.

3. French, Belg and Ital FonMins (other principal speakers at afternoon mtg) expressed welcome to constructive features of Eden’s proposal. Schuman stated that six coal-steel pool countries had hoped for such integration and he was pleased other non-participating C of E countries shared view. CM agreed with suggestion of chairman Swedish FonMin Unden that mtgs Mar 20 be dedicated primarily to further discussion and decision on Eden proposal.

4. At opening of mtg, CM approved full agenda including Saar problem which will be discussed today unless Adenauer withdraws item fol private mtg with Schuman this morning.

5. Saar problem and drafting of reply to Sov note on Germany,² which is continuing simultaneously with CM session, have taken spotlight from regular C of E business of CM, but several other noteworthy developments occurred in regular C of E matters.

At mtg of joint comite (seven members of Assembly and five Mins) prior to CM session, acting Assembly pres De Menthon of France indicated Assembly probably wld use its prerogative to schedule debate on polit aspects of Eur Army and Eur polit authority at May session but, to give debate more significance, suggested CM formally request advice of Assembly on these questions. CM expected to agree to De Menthon suggestion today, with result that there shld be important debate in Strasbourg on Eur Army in May, probably after EDC treaty signed but before treaty submitted to natl Parliaments for ratification.

CM approved number of more or less routine Assembly and CM advisors’ recommendations previously agreed upon by advisors, including recommendation that group of advisors be transformed into comite of deps mtg monthly with powers of decision in certain matters. CM approved protocol C of E convention on human rights which is to be signed this morning. Summary of more important approved recommendations will be given in separate telegram.³

Bonsal

1. Repeated to Bonn, London, Rome, Ankara, Athens, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, The Hague, Luxembourg, Oslo, Reykjavik, Stockholm, and Strasbourg.
2. For documentation, see vol. vii, Part 2, pp. 1403 ff. and ibid. Part I, pp. 169 ff. respectively.
3. For a summary of the meeting of the Committee of Ministers on Mar. 20, see Document 19; a summary of the Tenth Session of the Committee of Ministers, including the draft minutes and the draft official report, was transmitted to the Department of State in despatch 2765 from Paris, Apr. 18. (740.00/4–1852)