Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

762.022/9–1153: Telegram

No. 642
The United States High Commissioner for Germany (Conant) to the Department of State¹

secret

Bonn, September 11, 1953—4 p.m.

991. Reference Deptel to London 1291, repeated Bonn 816 Paris 866 Strasbourg 5.² I believe strongly that Chancellor is ready to take early initiative in settling Saar problem. This was brought out in conversation Bruce and I had with him yesterday. Chancellor hoped to get in touch with Bidault sometime in October and at our urging appeared ready to send Blankenhorn with letter to Bidault even before Bundestag investiture. I doubt though that meeting can take place much before middle of October. Chancellor expected to go on leave for 10 days in near future, he will be preoccupied with formation government and Bundestag matters, and Adenauer–Bidaultmeeting needs careful preparation both with political leaders and technical experts.

Chancellor’s views on Saar as expressed in meeting essentially along his statement to press (reference telegram to Department 989, repeated Paris 166, London 126 Strasbourg 9³). He underscored necessity of free decision by Saarlanders and declared himself in favor of Europeanization.

I believe Chancellor’s negotiating position on Saar is strong both internally and vis-à-vis France. He is likely to overcome opposition by FDP and certain elements of his own party (reference telegram sent Department 971, repeated Paris 163 London 121 Strasbourg 8⁴), though obviously his hand is not entirely free. I believe he and his advisors feel that recent events (e.g. French strikes, Adenauer victory) have probably strengthened sympathies for German position in Saar. Thus it is too early to predict exact course Germans will follow in negotiations.

I am confident though that Chancellor will try his best to subordinate Saar problem to his major objective of European integration and Franco-German understanding.

I fully agree with Department’s position on our role during initial phases of negotiations as given in reference telegram.

Conant

1. Repeated to Paris, London, and Strasbourg.
2. Supra.
3. Telegram 989 reported that at a press conference Adenauer had stated that new elections should determine where the Saar belonged adding that a freely elected Landtag would probably prefer a European solution. (762.022/9–1053)
4. Telegram 971 reported that the Foreign Office expert on the Saar was going to Strasbourg with instructions to effect a postponement in the Council of Europe debate on the Saar in order to allow France and the Federal Republic time to reach an agreement. (762.022/9–953)