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

662.001/5–352: Telegram

No. 93
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State¹

secret priority

London, May 3, 1952—5 p.m.

5000. Tripartite group drafting reply to Sov note on Ger met this morning to consider HICOM and Adenauer’s views re US proposal contained para 9 Deptel 5593 Apr 30.² Views of UK and Fr HICOM, as given by Roberts and Crouy-Chanel, were substantially as outlined in Bonn’s 2639 to Dept May 2.³ Kirkpatrick also thought that putting forward proposal wld mean “virtual elimination of UN Comm”.

Roberts reported that Eden, with whom he had just discussed subj, had at first favored US proposal. However, after further consideration and in light of Kirkpatrick’s report of danger of delaying signature timetable, Eden thought that proposal by west for quadripartite mtg should be made more conditional and formulated in different manner. He felt that we must continue follow program based on signature of various agreements by May 20, and that there is gen agrmt that quadripartite mtg will have to be held before ratification of these agrmts. Therefore Eden believes west shld stick to its logical line that free elections are prerequisite and that essential point is to determine whether conditions for free elections exist. He wanted as we do to seize initiative, and suggests definite proposal to Sovs in final para of note that UN Comm (or any other impartial comm on which Sovs put forward precise and practical proposals) shld proceed with immed investigation electoral conditions. As soon as its report was recd, reps of four powers wld meet to consider report “with view to reaching agrmt on early holding of free elections throughout Ger”.

Roberts explained that level at which mtg wld be held had deliberately been left vague. Selwyn Lloyd and Nutting were pleased with tenor of Eden’s suggestion since they said it wld go long way to take wind out of sails of certain critics of policy re Ger. Roberts then circulated revised draft, gen based on draft contained Embtel 4863 Apr 25,⁴ incorporating Eden’s suggestion as final para.

Holmes remarked that his first reaction to Eden’s suggestion was favorable but that its method of presentation was extremely important. US believed essential that note contain strong and positive statement of our policy in Europe and, putting first things first, [would come?] question of conditions for elections. Wished limit discussion of treaty provisions to minimum. Therefore draft shld be telescoped and sharpened to focus attn on proposal for quadripartite mtg to examine report of investigating comm. Roberts agreed and suggested that revised draft be prepared for discussion at Mon mtg.

Crouy-Chanel said Schuman had not yet commented on US draft but that Parodi had certain reservations particularly re effect on public opinion. Crouy-Chanel, who appeared favor Eden’s formula, is flying to Paris today and will obtain official Fr comments for use at Mon mtg.

Both Roberts and Crouy-Chanel thought proposed US draft wld have been suitable as basis for reply if para 9 had been approved by HICOMs and Adenauer. However, in view of reports from HICOMs and new Brit proposal, they preferred work on basis draft contained Embtel 4863. As Dept aware, we are not satisfied with this draft and will press to have it conform with principles set forth in Deptel 5592.⁵ Hope to be able forward revised draft Monday.

Since above was drafted, Reber has telephoned Holmes that Adenauer has had second thoughts re para 9 US proposal and now believes that it might jeopardize signature timetable.

Gifford

1. Repeated to Paris, Moscow, Bonn, and Berlin.
2. Document 91.
3. Supra.
4. Document 89.
5. Document 90.