840.20/4–352: Telegram
No. 244
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State
priority
6081. For Agriculture. Fr officials and farm leaders comments re accomplishments recent Paris green pool meeting range from reactions meeting was “practically complete failure” to optimism on having successfully cleared first hurdle of long course. More objective observers feel some progress was made or “at least no ground was lost”. All agree meeting not up to expectations but believe discussions revealed, at least in part, positions various countries.
Prior to meeting strong belief prevailed that six Schuman Plan countries would agree on principles and program of action during meeting. However, they failed to get together and outcome was agreement that all 15 countries would cooperate at least through the next summer’s meeting. Meeting also agreed working party approach which some interpret as deliberate delaying tactic. British built much goodwill in meeting by cooperative attitude despite fact that their basic position known in advance. Netherlands was leader throughout meeting.
Fr Govt circles generally agreed summer plenary session will be nothing more than extension recent preparatory meeting but with more factual material available as basis for discussion and analysis problem. High Fr Govt official predicted summer plenary session would end without decision but would appoint committee experts to study problem and make recommendations similar preliminary stages Schuman Plan development. Decisions would not come, he said, until after experts had completed work probably late fall or next winter. This prediction would indicate time consuming procedure much to liking some countries and groups. Min Agric officials stated first working party meeting would be convened by Fr Govt “around 23 April”.
More info obtained re apparent weakened position Fr Govt at preparatory session (Embtel 5875 Mar 261). Recent discussions revealed [Page 433] first outward sign weakness and rift in Fr farm organization ranks came to light with Blondelle, President FNSEA, an organization similar in function to US general farm organizations, appeared as agricultural adviser at preparatory meeting instead of Lamour, SecGen of CGA, natl federation all Fr farm organizations. FNSEA is member of CGA. The stronger position of Blondelle admittedly due to Patronat membership in FNSEA ranks (some industrialists are also large farmers) and the close relationship of Patronat to Pinay Govt. This official stated Pinay group strongly backed Patronat and, is opposed to green pool therefore position Fr Govt at preparatory meeting was carried personally by Pflimlin and Laurens. Backstage pressure probably weakened Laurens stand. It should be noted that the Patronat has consistently opposed Schuman Plan. Some feel Fr Govt weakness at meeting due only to inability Laurens to present case in effective manner. Govt officials insist Fr Govt position has not changed on green pool or high authority principle. However, failure to back Netherlands on high authority issue and reversion, on this question, to more cautious procedure which provides for exploration of question and definition of term before acceptance, would indicate some loss previous aggressive attitude and leadership.
Despite failure to meet expectations at meeting, green pool idea still has strong support many sources. Farm groups favorable to idea must conduct basic educational campaign with membership if they are to strengthen position. Future from Fr viewpoint depends on leadership and extent to which farm groups and others can consolidate forces in opposition to such groups as Patronat which consider green pool would weaken or destroy their present favorable cartel position based on restricted national market. Min Agri officials believe Laurens can patch up rift in Fr farm groups. This important if Fr are to maintain early favorable position toward green pool and exert future desirable leadership.
Fr situation by no means static. Could drift to more favorable or less favorable position with passing time and political shifts. Press still commenting favorably took strong position against agricultural integration. Note that opposition to green pool comes from Communist on extreme left and Patronat on extreme right.