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

840.20/3–852: Telegram

No. 240
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Chapin) to the Department of State¹

confidential

The Hague, March 8, 1952—2 p.m.

946. Green Pool. Ref: Embtel 819, Feb 9, rptd Paris 190, London 194, Rome 27, Brussels 74, Bonn 24.² Van der Lee of Neth Ministry Agric told Emb officer details conversations this past week with Brit and Danes re high auth to coordinate Eur agric prod and marketing. He made Fol points:

(1) Fol issuance Fr invitation Mar 25 preliminary mtg, Dutch prepared own note to Schuman Plan countries plus Brit and Den. Note stressed Dutch interest establish high auth. Van der Lee then went to London and Copenhagen prepare Brit and Dan officials for Dutch note. Stated he found cordial reception from Brit officials who year ago had been very unfriendly to idea Eur agric integration. Brit will send del both to Mar 25 mtg and later plenary conf which will discuss detailed plan. Brit expressed pleasure being kept informed development agric plan. Contrasted this with lack info early stages Schuman Plan. Brit anxious be “closely associated” with Eur agric pool at all stages altho definitely will not join initially.³

(2) In Copenhagen Van der Lee talked with Dan Min Agric. He described Danes as “scared stiff” high auth, principally because Danes had no experience with Schuman or Pleven talks. He stressed Dutch viewpoint high auth considered integral part any Eur agric integration. He was surprised find Dan Min Agric interested integration. Danes wish improve their bargaining position with Brit. However, Danes afraid of Dutch, their low-cost competitors. Moreover, chief Danish Farmer’s Assoc violently opposed any integration. Danes will definitely send Min Agric and either Min Fin or Commerce Mar 25 mtg. Dutch argued Danes shld attend to prevent being isolated from important decisions which affect their future. Danes might also attend second conf, but because domestic pressure this merely possibility.

(3) Fr, Dutch, Itals, West Gers and Lux definitely expect attend Mar talks, while Belgs will participate unwillingly. Both Neth Min Agric Mansholt and Van der Lee talked with Belg Min Agric Heger re Eur agric integration at recent Benelux talks on liberalization fish trader. Heger very uncommunicative but since suggested to Neth Agric Attaché Brussels that Van der Lee come Brussels and discuss high auth with Heger and Boerenbond leaders.

(4) Current Fr Govt crisis again makes future somewhat uncertain, but Neth Agric Attaché Paris, who in close touch with Pflimlin’s chief of Cabinet, reports no change evident Fr attitude integration.

(5) Dutch Agric Attaché Wash suggested Van der Lee visit Wash Fol Mar conversations explain Dutch attitude and discuss details integration and high auth with US officials. Van der Lee also intends study US experience hope finding precedents for operation Eur organization. Both Van der Lee and Mansholt pleased with Dept’s draft statement re Eur agric integration discussed Tomus 131 Mar 7.⁴

Chapin

1. Repeated to Paris (pass MSA/E), London, Rome, Brussels, Bonn, and Copenhagen.
2. Supra.
3. In telegram 4155 from London, Mar. 20, the Embassy questioned this description of the British attitude. Embassy officials noted that British concern centered on the status of large importers and association with the Commonwealth. (840.20/3–2052)
4. Not printed.