Office of the Historian

740.5/6–1254: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

top secret
Washington, June 12, 1954—2:59 p.m.

Edcol 122. I have heard with interest Merchant’s report on Ambassadors’ meeting in London,2 particularly recommendation proceed with message from President to Coty and foreign ministers’ meeting under Article 132 of EDC treaty along lines my conversation with Spaak in Geneva (Dulte 28 April 29).3 On assumption fall of Laniel4 will not result in new elections, I believe we should push ahead promptly but quietly to develop this scenario. I suggest Bruce let Spaak know of our approval in principle and Aldrich should inform British, subject to Bruce’s determination timing of these approaches. Believe Bruce should bear in mind importance of getting British agreement in principle, including, if possible, idea of message from Churchill, before Spaak gets too far out on limb.

In meantime, we will urgently consider here best form of message from President to Coty. For this purpose we need Bruce and Dillon’s comments on text of note given in Deptel 4131 May 185 which, modified to take form of Presidential message, seems more suitable for present purpose than text in Deptel 4408 June 4.6

Timing proposed conference of six difficult from point of view my schedule even assuming meeting would last only one day or two at most. June 30–July 1 look possible now but it would be virtually out [Page 970] of the question for me to accept an earlier date. Any later feasible date would run toward middle July as I am now thinking in terms Montevideo Conference opening July 5.

Dulles
  1. Drafted by Moore, cleared by GER, BNA, WE, and MacArthur. Transmitted by Dulles. Repeated to London, Bonn, and Geneva.↩
  2. On June 9–10, Merchant had chaired a meeting of Chiefs of Mission, at London which included Aldrich, Bruce, Conant, Dillon, Deputy U.S. Representative to NAC Edwin M. Martin and others. Further documentation on the meeting is presented in volume vi .↩
  3. Ante, p. 951.↩
  4. On June 12, the Laniel government was defeated in debate over Indochina, amidst charges that it had schemed for an American intervention there, by a vote of 304–292. See editorial note, p. 972.↩
  5. Ante, p. 956.↩
  6. Not printed. (740.5/6–254)↩