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

740.5 MSP/3–2052: Telegram

No. 14
The Chargé in France (Bonsal) to the Department of State

top secret

Paris, March 20, 1952—8 p.m.

5748. Eyes only Perkins from Merchant. MSA/E is proposing in eyes only cable to Harriman, Draper, Kenney and you¹ that Harriman ask the Secy to send personal message to Eden re UK attitude toward OEEC in hope modifying UK views prior to ministerial meeting March 27.² It seems to me that current desire to minimize role and reduce effectiveness of OEEC is fundamentally an error, contrary to your own position but so far as we know the position of all other members are peculiarly unfortunate at this early stage, attempting to develop constructive relationship OEEC with NATO. I recognize multiplicity of request for Secy’s direct communication with Eden but believe importance of this issue justifies such action in his case and hope that he will support the proposal.³

Bonsal

1. This is a reference to telegram Repto 1321 from Paris, Mar. 20, infra.
2. For a general summary and appraisal of the OEEC Ministerial Meeting, Mar. 27–29, see Document 26.
3. For the text of Acheson’s letter to Eden, see Document 18.