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

850.33/12–3053: Telegram

No. 190
The United States Representative to the European Coal and Steel Community (Bruce) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Paris, December 30, 1953—11 a.m.

Coled 121. Subject is CSC. Monnet has transmitted to Sir Cecil Weir letter proposing that negotiations be opened between High Authority and Government of United Kingdom concerning UK association with coal and steel community.² Letter, of which we hope to obtain copy shortly, suggests establishment of joint institutions to supervise attempt to eliminate restrictions on trade in coal and steel in interest of development of international trade and in manner consistent with obligations of states concerned under GATT.

Monnet considers agreement by British to open negotiation on association of great political importance as demonstration British interest in continental integration and determination to be associated with it. Such agreement would have particularly strong political impact on continent if it could be obtained prior to meeting of CSC common assembly in Strasbourg January 14, when this matter will be a major subject of discussion.

I concur in Monnet’s judgment of political importance this question in relation to integration movement in general and EDC ratification in particular. Consider anything that might be done in above regard also of great importance psychologically. I should recommend that if at all possible Department should take occasion to urge British to announce willingness to open negotiations, making clear of course that we do not necessarily support Monnet’s specific proposals which are in any case preliminary. We could do this with good grace by pointing to US intention to support and assist the coal and steel community as expressed in the President’s recent statement.³

Bruce

1. Repeated to London, Rome, Brussels, The Hague, Luxembourg, and Bonn.
2. For information concerning the text of this letter, see footnote 2, supra.
3. According to telegram Colux 14 from Luxembourg, Jan. 7, the British Delegation to the European Coal and Steel Community informed U.S. officials that the British Government would not reply to Monnet’s offer of negotiations before the end of January. The delay was caused by the unwillingness of the British Steel Board to approve the initiation of negotiations without some preliminary discussions with the High Authority concerning the nature of future cooperation; the Steel Board seemed to fear that the industry of the Coal and Steel Community might in the long run seriously compete on the British market. (850.33/1–754)