662A.00/11–2251: Telegram
The United States Delegation at the Tripartite Foreign Ministers Meeting to the Acting Secretary of State 1
3086. Schuman opened meeting by expression of welcome to Chancellor upon occasion of this first meeting of four FonMins.
Chancellor then reviewed briefly internal situation in Germany pointing to three dangers facing FedRep.
- 1.
- Neo-Nazism. Altho foreign attention seems particularly directed to this danger, it is not serious at present. Govt and Bundestag fully conscious of potential threat and are taking precautionary measures such as recent decision to ask constitutional court to determine whether SRP shld be banned as unconstitutional.
- 2.
- Communism. This danger appears to be underestimated abroad. Party has few members but it has full strength as well as financing of USSR behind it. In addition to party there are 48 organizations, disguised in various ways but following strict party line. Fed Govt taking same action with respect to KPD as it is in case of SRP.
- 3.
- Refugees. It is essential that some means be found to house and provide for 9½ mil refugees at present in West Germany as otherwise they may turn either toward the right or extreme left.
Chancellor then stressed significance of meeting as means of consolidating developments in Germany which wld enable the Fed Govt to speak with full authority on the side of the West. Chancellor [Page 1606] stated his conviction that decisions to be taken within next few weeks would make Germany a strong factor in European security and convince Soviets that their cold war to win over FedRep had failed. The inclusion of Germany in defense community wld strengthen Europe.
Secy referred back to meetings in 1949 which had made possible the creation of the FedRep and free elections bringing Chancellor to office. He welcomed the Chancellor’s presence at these meetings as evidence of the change in Germany and its alinement with the liberal spirit of constitutional democracy. He pointed to the change which had likewise taken place in US where ten years ago it wld have been impossible to conceive any Secy of State wld be discussing European questions in such a forum. The US was now determined that all shld work together to find a solution of mutual problems and considered it happy augury that Chancellor had admitted existence of certain of these problems since his recognition thereof wld contribute to their solution.
Eden associated himself in welcome to the Chancellor and expressed the conviction that this wld be prelude to valuable succession of subsequent meetings. He was particularly happy that the meeting was taking place in Paris as Britain looked forward to the establishment of a true and enduring peace between France and Germany. If this meeting and later ones will serve to promote this end no one will welcome it more than the UK.
Schuman then concluded the introductory phase of the meeting in pointing to its particular significance for France which together with Germany was sponsoring something new for all Europe and all of the world. In this enormous undertaking which he was confident that most people understood and approved Schuman explained it wld be necessary to take certain precautions and to proceed by stages but each stage shld be a decisive one toward achievement of common goal. Mr. Schuman was confident that such a decisive step was being taken today.
The meeting then registered agrmt on the terms of general agrmt and security guarantee with understanding that former must be completed by agrmts upon supplementary convention.2 Agreed announcement to this effect was inserted in communiqué.3
Schuman then mentioned the necessity of reserving possibility of limiting or prohibiting production of certain armaments. He said this was difficult problem and wld necessitate finding a formula which not only recognized Germany’s equality of status but took into account political realities of situation. It was agreed that the Chancellor wld discuss this matter which might have to form subj of one of related conventions with the High Commissioners next Monday who cld then report his views to their ministers and receive further instructions.
[Page 1607]After agrmt upon communiqué the Chancellor then expressed the heartfelt thanks of Fed Govt and Republic for this meeting and assured other ministers that German people were fully aware of the obligations which they face and determined to work for peace and integration of Europe. He then paid a tribute to the High Commissioners and their contribution to this historic development. Schuman expressed hope that Germany fully understood significance of the meeting and that it wld remain faithful to policy which Chancellor had so courageously promoted so that four powers together cld build a peaceful and happier Europe.
Secy took occasion at conclusion of meeting again to stress that the success of our common program and policies in Europe depended upon three accomplishments by end of year: (a) the establishment of adequate defense budgets sustainable in Europe, (b) agrmt on the EDC treaty and (c) conclusion of the contractual arrangements. These were interdependent and shld be brought to conclusion by end of year. He said it had been agreed High Commissioners wld shortly begin discussions on German contribution to European defense. In these discussions it was important that Germany approach question in a spirit, and make its total contribution, comparable to that of the other European nations.
The atmosphere of the meeting was good. This had been facilitated by prior agrmt upon many of the issues and by determination of all participants to recognize the significance of the occasion which marked a new progressive development in allied-German relations.