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

840.20/2–952: Telegram

No. 239
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Chapin) to the Department of State¹

confidential

The Hague, February 9, 1952—noon.

819. Green Pool. Van der Lee of Neth Min Agric told Emb officer that at Feb 6 and 7 Paris mtg (Ref Embtel 790, Feb 1 rptd Paris 175, London 187, Rome 26;² Paris tel 4675 rptd London 1268, Feb 2³) Fr reps were Schuman, Pflimlin and Laurens, while Mansholt, Van der Lee and Spierenburg represented Neth.

Reached agreement necessity establishing high auth to coordinate Eur agric production and marketing. Dutch viewed inclusion Schuman in talks indicate influence Monnet in convincing Fr FonOff and Pflimlin necessity for high auth.

Fr decided instruct their Ambs in five other Schuman Plan countries to make representations that France ready support close Eur agric coordination and high auth. Originally Fr had desired issue invitations all OEEC countries without clarifying Fr position re high auth.

At same time, Fr Ambs in the ten other OEEC countries will make representations extending invitations, stressing Fr support high auth, but expressing hope these other countries will associate themselves in some way with Green Pool. Fr promised send Dutch texts of comments recd from Fr Ambs.

At Min Agric supper Fol talks, leaders Fr Farmers Organizations expressed support Green Pool. Fol day Mansholt and Van der Lee discussed Green Pool proposition and high auth with MSA/E officials. Van der Lee then asked that US make public statement favoring pool with high auth. He repeated this request to Emb officer here. Dutch have concentrated on econ aspects. Green Pool, stressing it wld not result in protected Eur market, which wld discriminate against Amer agric products.

Comment: Recent Fr Cab crisis has given Dutch opportunity gain present their opinion that six-country talks preferable. Fr decision make two types representations seems effective compromise. No OEEC countries excluded, but specific terms Ref made clear. This may well reduce maneuvers by opponents high auth. Mansholt agreed talk with Belg Min Agric Heger in attempt soften Belg opposition. Van der Lee states Adenauer giving strong support West Ger Min Econ Aff Erhard supporting Green Pool despite opposition Deutsche Bauernverband. As result all these factors discussions will probably be more concrete than wld have been case had original Fr invitations been issued without clarification.

Chapin

1. Repeated to Paris (pass MSA/E), London, Rome, Brussels, and Bonn.
2. Not printed; it informed the Department of State that Mansholt and Van der Lee of the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture planned to visit Paris in early February in order to discuss invitations for the proposed future meetings concerning agricultural integration. (840.20/2–152)
3. Not found in Department of State files.