840.20/3–2852: Telegram
No. 242
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State
priority
5939. In preparatory Green Pool meeting discussions1 only four countries, Turkey, Netherlands, France and Greece favored supranational authority without qualifications. Others ranged from strong opposition to reserve pending clarification and definition terms. Discussions commodities to be included ranged from German proposal sugar and wheat to Netherlands complete coverage all products.
Conference, admittedly preliminary, studiously avoided coming to grips with high authority issue, commodities included etc. At unscheduled Wednesday evening mtg attended only by Schuman Plan countries, Netherlands delegation made strong effort develop reportedly [Page 430] tangible program, but Min Laurens did not give strong support and effort to achieve concrete results failed. Wide disagreement apparently existed even within this group.
Feeling rather widespread little progress made in conference. Gloom exists certain quarters, but all countries will apparently attend next mtg. Split in Fr group (Embtel 5875 March 262) which started over weak presentation by Laurens, now apparently involves more extensive differences among MinAg Laurens and two rival farm leaders. Split may have further repercussions that could seriously affect future Fr position. Background not clear; question being followed closely.
Definitely decided that plenary session to be held in Paris between June and end September, will be an ad hoc autonomous conference whose work wld be carried out in liaison with OEEC and whose final resolutions wld be submitted for opinion only, to consultative Assembly Council of Europe.
Agenda approved for summer plenary conference as fols: (1) ways and means of organizing and unifying European agricultural market; (2) structure and powers of institutions necessary in carrying out aims of organization; (3) relations which wld be established with overseas countries or countries which are not members of organization; (4) consideration of report of interim working comite.
Meeting completed work Thursday evening except for approval this morning terms reference interim working party which includes representatives all countries. Since mtg avoided critical problems, French delegation stated conference handing to working party long list questions for factual study with probable request to avoid recommendations. This question on agenda this morning.
- For a telegraphic summary of the Green Pool meeting which took place in Paris, Mar. 25–28, see telegram Repto circular 40 from Paris, Mar. 29, infra.↩
- Not printed; it informed the Department of State of a serious disagreement within the French Delegation over the question of what position to take regarding the proposed supranational agricultural authority. (840.20/3–2652)↩