PPS files, lot 64 D 563, “Europe, 1952–53”
No. 170
Memorandum by Leon W. Fuller of
the Policy Planning Staff to the Director of the Staff (Bowie)
Subject:
- Monnet’s Views on European Union1
At a meeting yesterday at which representatives of the Department, Treasury, and MSA were present, Monsieur J. Monnet presented his views about the progress of European integration and [Page 307] the CSC in particular. He was accompanied by Franz Etzel and Dirk Spierenberg, both members of the High Authority.
Monnet viewed with restrained optimism the progress made by CSC to date. He pointed out that the High Authority was now actually functioning as a supranational organ within its assigned jurisdiction. He gave as examples the fact that it now exercises taxing authority, that it makes daily decisions regarding the operation of the coal and steel industries, and that decisions are arrived at independently, although after consultation with the Council of Ministers. He and the other members indicated that a most valuable outcome of the CSC would be expanded production due to the single market and modernized techniques. Herr Etzel emphasized specially the contrast in the recent past between production rates of iron and steel in the countries of the Community as compared with those of the US and the Soviet Union, and the need of increased European production.
Monnet, upon questioning, expressed the view that the CSC was a pioneer effort, that supranational organization on a sector basis which, if successful, would probably lead to further endeavors in this direction. He cited the EDC as a similar effort in a different field. He pointed out that such ventures made democratic parliamentary control imperative so that agencies of this type would be subject in their operations to the will of the people, inasmuch as the respective governments exercise no real control over their operations. The EPC was mentioned as a step toward democratic control through federal organs. He felt that there was no urgency about further expansion at this time of the functions of the Community of Six and that progress would be surer if built upon the tested practicability of existing institutions.
Regarding the addition of new members to the Community, he was emphatic that the Community not only placed no barrier in the way of new accessions but was ready to welcome new members from the free area of Europe. He seemed specially concerned about Britain’s relation to the Community. He remarked that although Britain at the present time was certainly not ready to sacrifice any of its sovereignty to join such a Community, it had shown great interest in the CSC and had sent representatives to Luxembourg to observe its operations. They had waited at first, he said, to “see if it would die,” but were now assured that it would not. He hinted at the prospect of closer future association with or even full membership in the Community on the part of Britain.
- For information concerning Monnet’s visit to Washington June 3–4, see the editorial note, supra.↩