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

740.00/4–1152: Telegram

No. 36
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France¹

secret

Washington, May 2, 1952—7: 50 p.m.

6487. Dept of two minds best method handling Eden proposal re assoc Schuman Plan and EDC with Council of Eur. Analysis of memo contained London Desp 4763² leads us to conclusion that substantively plan offers very little in terms of significant institutional development and that form of relationship it proposes wld present admin difficulties unless hdqrs EDC, Schuman Plan and Council of Eur in same spot, which we judge is unlikely. Plan also would raise problem of effect on EDC–NATO relationship of an EDC–Council of Eur link.

On other hand plan might have important psychological effect by committing non-member countries to closer relations with EDC and Schuman Plan, which might in turn assist movement toward six-country grouping. We hesitate cool off any gesture on part Brit toward closer assoc with EDC and Schuman Plan or ourselves make move which might be interpreted as weakening Council of Eur.

As we understand plan, principal significance in Ministerial link proposed is that Mins from non-EDC–Schuman Plan countries might at times be invited attend mtgs of EDC and Schuman Plan Ministerial Councils. Presumably this could be done in any case but formal arrangement kind suggested might tend make it happen more frequently.

Of more apparent significance is proposed link of assemblies. Since nature discussion in Schuman Plan and EDC assemblies will presumably tend to be concerned with broad questions of trend developments rather than concentrated on subjs which either excessively technical or highly classified, link through identity membership wld be relatively easy arrange and adoption Eden proposal might result in increasing tendency hold assembly sessions on broad rather than restricted basis with consequent strengthening assoc between EDC–Schuman Plan group and other Western Eur countries.

Secretariat link wld appear be excessively cumbersome administratively unless all three bodies located in same place. Even if this were to happen, difficult see how any except housekeeping type services cld be provided on centralized basis. Even on this limited basis some special security arrangements wld probably have to be arranged for EDC work.

In view foregoing, we inclined believe best course for US is not to comment on plan at this stage but see how discussion shapes up and proposal evolves in Depts mtg. However wld appreciate comments Paris and London Embs and SRE.³

Acheson

1. Drafted by Camp, cleared with Hillenbrand, Vernon, and Andrew B. Foster, and repeated for action to London.
2. See Document 31.
3. The Embassy in London responded in telegram 5042 of May 7, in which Gifford stated that the United States “shld hesitate to pour cold water on Brit initiative in this field.” He also pointed out that the Eden proposal on the Council of Europe dealt primarily with European problems which should be solved by Europeans. (740.00/5–752)