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

740.00/12–2152: Telegram

No. 144
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Paris, December 21, 1952—2 p.m.

3604. Subject is European political community.

1. Although Dutch dels in Paris have not seemed to be dissatisfied with developments in constitutional committee on EPC, Dutch Govt apparently feels that insufficient attention is being paid by committee to economic integration. In an attempt to “bring the work of the ad hoc assembly back to Luxembourg resolution” (in particular provisions concerning “creation of common bases of economic development”), Dutch Govt about 10 days ago sent a memorandum to govts of the other 5 Schuman Plan countries.² This memorandum reiterated primary Dutch concern with economic aspects of integration, contained the Dutch “interpretation” of the Luxembourg resolution, and asked for meeting of the 6 countries consider this problem prior to January 7 meeting of ad hoc assembly on EPC.

2. Dutch note recapitulates arguments which Beyen presented in Luxembourg in support of Dutch view that political and economic integration should proceed side by side, and maintains that this view was accepted by other govts in Luxembourg resolution. On this basis, note continues, Dutch Govt considers that EPC should not limit itself to creation of new institutions but should be given additional powers in economic realm or at least contain definite commitment concerning progressive creation of common market for all products in the 6 countries.

Specific program contained in note is not very clear (due in part to very poor French and German translations); its main elements seem to be:

EPC treaty should contain commitment for common market; provision should be made for gradual reduction and elimination over a given time period of customs duties among the 6 countries in order to arrive at common market; concomitant measures should be taken to create currency union and common fiscal and monetary policies and problems of adjustment which these procedures raise should be dealt with by common institutions rather than on a national basis. Note makes it clear that Dutch are prepared to move ahead in conjunction with whatever countries are willing to accept this basic program and in particular with their five Schuman Plan partners. Community should have non-protectionist policy, should be open to additional members, and should provide means of association for non-member countries. Finally, Dutch Govt believes that attention should be concentrated in immediate future on fields where preparatory work has already been done—in particular agriculture.

3. Dutch purpose in sending note at this time would seem to be two-fold: First, by reiterating Dutch adherence to economic integration at this time, Beyen apparently hopes to bring pressure on ad hoc assembly to make adequate provision for economic integration in resolutions to be adopted in January. Secondly, Mansholt apparently hopes by this means to build up pressure on Schuman Plan govts to take common position at February Greenpool conference in favor of common market approach to agricultural integration.³

4. While Dutch note has aroused some interest in other Schuman Plan capitals, it seems unlikely that any meeting of foreign mins will be held before January 7; Germans have already stated that while sympathetic with Dutch viewpoint they consider meeting impractical and Belgians reportedly feel the same.

Dunn

1. Repeated to London, Bonn, The Hague, Rome, Brussels, and Luxembourg for Tomlinson.
2. A translation of this memorandum is in file 740.00/12–1752.
3. For documentation concerning the Green Pool negotiations, see Documents 235 ff.