Office of the Historian

144. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Posts in Europe1

Washington, March 17, 1966, 12:22 p.m.

1790. Ref: Cirtel 1731.2 There is some evidence that the French may attempt to revive in one form or another Fouchet-like proposals for political consultation among Six. The French could suggest this as a means of dealing on European basis with the current NATO crisis. De Gaulle and Erhard, prior to the recent French moves against NATO, touched on this matter which was followed by general but favorable statements by the Chancellor regarding new political consultation initiatives among the Six.

In the current situation any step in this direction seems to us contrary to the real interests of the Five and of the United States. Our prime objective is to maintain the unity of the fourteen in the face of the French assault and to try to limit spillover to the European Communities as indicated [Page 339] reftel. Separate discussions among the Six regarding political matters and particularly NATO could be used by the French as evidence of disunity among the fourteen and would encourage centrifugal forces already at work on several of the other members of NATO. It might also hasten moment of EEC involvement with adverse implications from US point of view.

We recognize that in the first instance this is a matter for the Six to decide among themselves. However, in answer to inquiries or in discussions with officials where your relations are such that our points can be made discreetly the foregoing should be used as an expression of US views on this issue.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, ECIN 3 EEC. Confidential. Drafted by Schaetzel on March 15; cleared by Leddy, Thompson, and RPE; and approved by Ball. Sent to Bonn, Brussels (also for USEC), Geneva, The Hague, London, Luxembourg, Paris (also for USRO), and Rome.↩
  2. Document 140.↩