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

740.5/8–2652: Telegram

No. 94
The United States Special Representative in Europe (Draper) to the Department of State¹

confidential

Paris, August 26, 1952—11 p.m.

Polto 205. Subj is Eur coal steel community.

1. In response to ltr from Monnet (see Polto 187²), Paris, SecGen of Council of Eur, came to Luxembourg Thurs. Paris told High Auth that while he was prepared accept responsibility as temporary SecGen CSC Assembly, he was unwilling make mtg place and part of this services available to Assembly on any other basis [sic]. He added he wants to consult his superiors (presumably Turk FonMin and De Menthon, pres of Council of Eur Assembly) before making any formal reply.

2. High Auth on Mon received copy of tel sent by Paris to members comite of Mins of Council of Eur, stating that he did not consider his instructions from mins permitted him to make services of Council of Eur Secretariat available on a piece-meal basis. Tel continued that he interpreted mins decision accepting Eden proposals in principle as meaning that he shld be responsible for Secretariat functions of CSC Assembly. He therefore intended to maintain this position until receiving instructions from mins deps (who meet about Sept 7, on only 3 days before mtg CSC Assembly). He further asked FonMins of CSC member countries to inform High Auth of their interpretation of decisions of Council of Eur mins on Eden proposals. Meanwhile, Paris said he wld continue to make preparation for use of entire Council of Eur Secretariat at first mtg of CSC Assembly.

3. Staff of High Auth interprets Paris action as intended to postpone any decision on this subj until it is too late for High Auth to make separate plans for first mtg CSC Assembly. Presumably he will then argue that “for practical reasons” only recourse is to organization of Council of Eur. High Authority has not yet taken any decision on this matter, but Blamont’s report (Polto 187) provides for assuring essential services for mtg in Strasbourg even without cooperation of Council of Eur Secretariat, and, if necessary, in separate building.

Draper

1. Repeated to London, Bonn, Rome, Brussels, The Hague, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg.
2. Not printed; it reported that Paris sent Monnet a formal letter on Aug. 14 informing him of the specific services which the Council of Europe Secretariat was prepared to make available to the Schuman Plan Assembly. (740.5/8–2052)