Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 1

662A.00/6–952: Telegram

No. 108
The Ambassador in France (Dunn) to the Department of State¹

secret priority

Paris, June 9, 1952—7 p.m.

7678. Re Embtel 7650, rptd London 2116, Bonn 947, Moscow 275.² At meeting at FonOff this afternoon, La Tournelle presented French draft of reply to Sov note (text in my immediately fol tel³) embodying Schuman’s proposal contained in my reftel. Rumbold, Brit counselor, also had rough draft along same lines as he had just received word from London that Eden agreed with Schuman’s proposal for early four-power meeting, altho he realized this was departure from agmt reached at recent tripartite Mins meeting Paris. (Brit text will be telegraphed this evening.⁴)

Achilles asked whether Schuman really desired four-power meeting or whether he merely considered proposal for one good tactics.⁵ La Tournelle indicated former, saying Schuman considers Western position now reinforced by signing of contractuals and EDC and that meeting would satisfy at least French opinion which considers final attempt at understanding should be made. Meeting would be held without delay and would not be made dependent upon any prior agmt or fulfillment of conditions. Aim of meeting would be to discuss two points: (1) Conditions for holding free elections, including competence and composition of investigating comm, and (2) Status of all-Ger Govt pending peace treaty. La Tournelle stated that language in French draft “to discuss problems presented by unification of Ger and peace treaty”, did not mean that possible substance of peace treaty would be discussed. On contrary, he hoped agenda could be limited to above two points. Furthermore, although Western note itself should not give impression of being “ultimatum” by demanding lifting of recent Sov restrictive measures, Western Allies would make clear at outset of talks that no agmt possible until situation returned to normal.⁶

Asked at what level Schuman envisaged talks, La Tournelle replied “FonMins or their deputies”, in response to question from Rumbold, indicated that “deputies” might be Ambs but not HICOMs.

Meeting was adjourned until we receive instructions from Dept re Schuman proposal for early meeting.

Dunn

1. Repeated to London, Moscow, Bonn, and Berlin.
2. In telegram 7650 Dunn reported that Robert Schuman had told him on June 7 that the West was now in such a strong position vis-à-vis the Soviet Union that it should propose an immediate four-power meeting in its reply to the Soviet note. (740.5/6–752)
3. Telegram 7679, infra.
4. The British draft reply, prepared by Rumbold based on his understanding of the Foreign Office position, was transmitted in telegram 7683 from Paris, June 9. (740.5/6–952)
5. On June 10, in response to instructions from the Department of State (telegram 7250 to Paris, June 9, 740.5/6–752), Ambassador Dunn discussed the proposal for a four-power meeting with Schuman, and indicated the reasons why the United States opposed such a meeting. Schuman stated that he had made the suggestion as a tactic to show that the Soviet Union was really against German unification, while at the same time showing that the West was not avoiding the question. Schuman promised to give the proposal further thought in view of the U.S. reaction and would consult with the French Cabinet.
6. For documentation on measures restricting access and communication with Berlin, imposed after the signing of the contractual agreements and the EDC Treaty, see Documents 532 ff.