No. 161
Editorial Note
The 26-member Constitutional Committee, which was formed by the Ad Hoc Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community in September 1952 for the purpose of drafting the first report concerning the creation of a European Political Community, completed the first part of its task by December. In its report, dated December 20, 1952, the Constitutional Committee made recommendations concerning the powers and competence of the proposed European Political Community, the nature of its political and judicial institutions, and the type of liaison to be established between it and third [Page 295] states or other international organizations. For information concerning the formation of the Constitutional Committee, see Document 109. A copy of the report of the Constitutional Committee is in Bruce Mission files, lot 57 M 38, “EPC.” Various parts of this report were summarized in telegrams 129–135 from Luxembourg, January 2–4, all of which are in file 740.00, along with despatches 1394 and 1400–1404 from Luxembourg, December 30, which provide the texts of the resolutions approved by the Committee.
The report of the Constitutional Committee was presented to the January session of the Ad Hoc Assembly and the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, both of which met in Paris. After receiving approval of its report by both assemblies, the Constitutional Committee continued its task of drafting a treaty, and by February 26 this effort was completed. The draft treaty, along with an introductory report and an explanatory memorandum, was ready for final consideration by the Ad Hoc Assembly. A copy of the draft treaty, issued in two parts and circulated as Document 12 of the Ad Hoc Assembly, is in Bruce Mission files, lot 57 M 38, “EPC”.
On March 6–7 and 9–10, the Ad Hoc Assembly met in Strasbourg to consider the draft treaty presented by the Constitutional Committee, as well as two related protocols. Although the text was amended by the Assembly, no alterations in the fundamental structure of the draft were made, and all the supranational features of the proposed European Political Community were retained. The draft treaty was adopted by the Assembly during its March 10 meeting by a vote of 50 to 0 with 5 abstentions. A summary report of the debates, minutes of the proceedings, and conference documentation were issued in booklet form by the Ad Hoc Assembly, copies of which are in Bruce Mission files, lot 57 M 38, “EPC”. Summaries of the March session of the Ad Hoc Assembly were sent to the Department of State in telegram 296 from Strasbourg, March 8, and telegram Coled 34 from Paris, March 12, 740.00/3–853 and 740.00/3–1253, respectively.