751G.5 MSP/9–753: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Dillon) to the Department of State
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941. Limit distribution. My remarks on EDC in Embassy telegram 9391 were directed to specific problem of including written refference (Point Six) to question of French ratification of EDC Treaty in the form exchange of notes regarding additional Indochina aid.
I feel the attempt to inject a written reference to EDC at this late date into the projected Indochina agreement might delay completion of negotiations and would cost US a portion of good will we will acquire as result of this new assistance. Also I fear that such a written connection which could only be construed as forced by US would be resented by French public opinion and might very well do harm to the prospects of ratification in the French Parliament. However, I am equally clear that we should make the connection in forceful manner to French Government. It would seem to me that this could very well be done orally at time of conclusion of formal agreement.
It is my thinking that this connection should be made both to Bidault and to Laniel. Representations could be made along following lines:
Begin summary: French themselves have in past repeatedly referred to the connection between the Indochinese drain and French participation in the European Army. We have appreciated their problems in this regard and we have now found it possible both to relieve France of a further part of IC defense expenditures and to supply the extra financing needed to permit the rapid build-up of the national armies, thus looking toward a satisfactory conclusion of the Indo-china [Page 759] war in the foreseeable future. We, therefore, most hopeful this action will greatly contribute toward a solution of the strains and problems IC has created for France. Specifically we feel that this action by US should facilitate ratification of EDC by French Parliament. Our desire to help create the necessary preconditions for ratification of EDC was one of principal reasons which decided US to make this additional aid available for Indochina. End summary.
- Telegram 939 from Paris, Sept. 7, concerning the preparation of notes to be exchanged between the United States and France to serve as an agreement regarding additional U.S. aid for Indochina, is not printed. (751G.5 MSP/9–753)↩