840.20/9–451: Telegram
No. 236
The Chargé in France (Bonsal) to the
Department of State
1423. There is strong and widespread feeling among Eur agric organizations that too little attn has been given to importance of food and agric in Eur defense program. They feel food and fibers shld [Page 420] have more prominent place in program alongside production of direct implements of defense.
One prominent leader in this thought is Pierre Martin, who occupies dual position as President of Confederation Generale de l’Agriculture of France, a federation of all French agric organizations and Pres of International Federation of Agricultural Producers, membership of which includes agric organizations of many countries and all US gen farm organizations. For some time Martin has been considering ways and means of obtaining an official statement from General Eisenhower with respect to importance of all-out food and agric production. The farm organizations feel that General Eisenhower’s support wld give real impetus to program of increased agric productivity. Martin wrote Eisenhower about ten days ago inviting him to speak on this subj at meeting of IFAP this week in Netherlands.
Upon receipt of Martin’s ltr, SHAPE contacted Emb re Martin’s official position, stand on Communism, standing in internatl farm organization circles, etc. At that time, it was indicated by SHAPE that Eisenhower wld not be able to attend Netherlands meeting but an opinion was requested with respect to desirability of inviting Martin to discuss problem with Eisenhower in advance of Netherlands meeting. Emb supported Martin and agreed meeting of two wld be highly desirable.
Subsequently Martin invited to confer with Eisenhower. The Conf took place Friday, August 31. Eisenhower presented his views to Martin and promised prepared statement on Saturday which understand will be presented to this week’s meeting IFAP by Martin.1
SHAPE had previously unofficially indicated Eisenhower might be interested in speaking to large grp Eur Farm Organization reps to agreed date in near future. However, during discussions with Martin, Eisenhower expressed concern with precedent that might be established if he accepted invitation of non-governmental group. Eisenhower expressed willingness to talk to farm group but indicated sponsorship should be of governmental source. Martin and OSR exploring joint sponsorship by IFAP and OEEC or other possibilities.2
- The text of Eisenhower’s statement, which French farm leaders described as “extremely general”, was transmitted to the Department of State in telegram 1603 from Paris, Sept. 12. (840.20/9–1251)↩
- In telegram 1519 to Paris, Sept. 11, the Department of State concurred with the approach outlined here and suggested that the statement issued by Eisenhower avoid implied endorsement of any of the plans for an agricultural pool. (840.20/9–451)↩