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

850.33/5–354: Telegram

No. 215
The Deputy United States Representative to the European Coal and Steel Community (Tomlinson) to the Department of State¹

Luxembourg, May 3, 1954.

Colux 25. Subject is European Coal and Steel Community. UK delegation handed Monnet on April 29 reply to Monnet’s letter of December 24 concerning association between Community and UK. In reply UK expresses belief that if mutually acceptable system of association can be worked out, such association would be politically desirable and economically advantageous to both sides. It should lead to development of international trade in expanding world economy. Letter proposes Monnet should visit London to initiate discussions on precise form of future association and examination of other aspects of problem including suggestions made in Monnet’s December letter.

Monnet replied on April 30 accepting invitation to visit London for preliminary conversations.

Exchange of letters will be made public this afternoon in House of Commons.² Understand that visit is scheduled for week after June 12.

In view of opposition of British steel industry UK government expected to proceed in negotiations with high authority very carefully. However, by stressing that step by step approach is best way of achieving objective of intimate and enduring association, maximum political benefit is to be assured from opening negotiations.

Tomlinson

1. Repeated to Paris, London, Bonn, The Hague, and Brussels.
2. Copies of Monnet’s letters of Dec. 24, 1953 and Apr. 30, 1954 and Weir’s letter of Apr. 29, 1954 were transmitted to the Department of State in despatch Coled D–117 from Luxembourg, May 3, 1954. (850.33/5–354) The British Foreign Office published the original texts of these letters and their translations in Command Paper 9147 (London, May 1954).