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

740.5/9–2853: Telegram

No. 179
The Acting Secretary of State to the Office of the United States Representative to the European Coal and Steel Community, at Paris¹

secret

Washington, October 15, 1953—7:05 p.m.

Edcol 37. Ref: Coled 56 September 28,² Edcol 32 October 1,³ Hague 340, Oct. 14.⁴ In series of approaches to Department Dutch have stressed that they regard inclusion provisions for economic integration as condition their agreement to EPC and expressed concern over possibility US might urge Dutch abandon this position in interests French EDC ratification.

In recent call Foreign Minister Luns stated to Secretary that Dutch would go ahead to complete ratification of EDC. Dutch cannot envisage an EPC, however, without economic authority. Indicated further Dutch would feel cheated if US followed French view and favored creation of political authority without providing for economic integration. (Van Roijen had commented earlier to Merchant along similar lines.)

Secretary stated that EDC was well advanced, and indicated we could not start over again, even though might have been better to have begun original with economic integration. He expressed hope that neither French nor Dutch would insist too strongly on their respective political and economic positions.

First Secretary Netherlands Embassy has followed up with several calls, latest on October 14.⁵ He stated First Chamber would begin consideration EDC October 27, and it was hoped ratification would be completed before end of year. Said Netherlands Government greatly concerned that French would make EDC ratification contingent on six-country governmental agreement on draft EPC Treaty, and feared they might suggest additional protocols. He said since Dutch confident German forces could be controlled through NATO link even without supranational EPC, agreement EPC not condition of Dutch EDC ratification. Stated firm position his Government, however, that could not agree to a draft EPC Treaty which did not provide for economic integration and common market. Dutch willing recognize long time might be required for effective economic integration, possible even 50 years. They would not object to lengthy time provision in EPC Treaty, provided all members committed themselves to slow, steady pace toward economic integration.

We are pleased to note possibility reported Hague’s 340 that Government will urge First Chamber act without undue delay.

Smith

1. Drafted by Boochever and Fessenden, cleared with Spalding and Moore, and repeated to The Hague, Bonn, London, Brussels, Luxembourg, and Rome.
2. Not printed; in it Bruce recommended, inter alia, that the Dutch retreat from their position that wide economic powers be granted to the proposed supranational executive of the European Political Community before they would approve of the treaty. (740.5/9–2853)
3. Not printed; it stated that the Dutch should not jeopardize the European Political Community by being so insistent that economic powers be granted to the proposed executive. (740.5/9–2953)
4. Not printed; it reported that the First Chamber of the Netherlands Parliament would give consideration to the bill for ratification of the European Defense Community on Oct. 27. (740.5/10–1453)
5. .No record of this conversation was found in Department of State files.