100. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Leddy) to the Department of State Executive Secretary (Read)1
SUBJECT
- Today’s Luncheon with the President
Following is a summary of the discussion at the luncheon of particular relevance to EUR:
In response to the President’s inquiry, Mr. Leddy said that a major problem facing us in our European relations was how to deal with De Gaulle’s [Page 238] attacks on NATO. It was almost certain that De Gaulle would move on this reasonably soon. The Department is preparing a position on how to deal with De Gaulle, which we would be presenting to the President very shortly. Once a position was established we would need to talk it over with our major European allies, other than France, after the German elections September 19. Our other allies will stand with us on NATO but it is important to have full consultations. Mr. Leddy also suggested that it might be useful to convey a kind of warning message to De Gaulle fairly soon. He noted that Under Secretary Ball planned to accompany Secretary Fowler on a trip to Europe early in September and suggested that perhaps the Under Secretary could call on the General and deliver a message from the President which would be “a shot across the bow.” This would come just prior to the General’s press conference. The President said he would look at these matters when they came to his attention.
Continuing, Mr. Leddy said that our position with respect to collective nuclear arrangements in Europe is unsatisfactory. US policy has gone up and down on this, and it was essential that a solid position be established in order to move it forward, which would take somewhat more time.
The President made a general observation applicable to the nuclear as well as to other problems discussed at the luncheon dealing with the fact it was very important to assure Congressional support for important US policies before they were crystallized and carried forward. He felt that much more work needed to be done on this by the Department on the Hill and that otherwise we would find that we do not get our policies through.
The President underlined the importance of effective public presentation of US policies and US successes. He felt the State Department was not doing a good enough job in this respect.
The President welcomed diversity of opinion and viewpoint both within the Department and among the Agencies in arriving at a policy. Once the policy had been established, however, everyone should carry it out loyally and not seek to undermine it.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 4 NATO. Confidential. Drafted by Leddy.↩