740.5/8–1654: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Belgium 1
172. Re Embtel 116,2 tell Spaak we appreciate his concern re Mendes-France’s proposal tie EDC ratification process to reply to Soviet proposal for meeting Western powers. You should further inform him of reportedly strong impression made on Mendes as result US and British reactions (Paris’ 654 to Dept repeated Brussels 353). Although we still do not know whether Mendes intends pursue his proposal further we believe it might make it more difficult for him drop [Page 1045] it at this point if we were to make formal démarches other EDC countries. This would undoubtedly become known to Mendes and run risk of freezing him in his position. Under circumstances and since we have already confidentially approached most other countries concerned we believe it best let matter rest for present.
- Drafted by Fessenden and Palmer; cleared by Merchant and Tyler of WE. Repeated to Paris, London, Rome, The Hague, Luxembourg, and Bonn.↩
- Dated Aug. 16, p. 1041.↩
- Not printed; it reiterated Dillon’s intense disappointment with the French proposals for EDC. It reported that Dulles’ “vigorous and reasoned reaction”, (telegram 552 to Paris, Aug. 12, p. 1029) “made a deep impression and was most helpful” particularly in light of the fact that this reaction “has been kept to diplomatic channels and not made officially public”, and that “Churchill’s violent reaction was perhaps even more of a shock as it was totally unexpected”. In conclusion, it urged that the Department “should remember Mendes’ good points” which included sincere efforts to resolve problems in Tunis and Morocco “along lines we think proper” and a determination “to fundamentally remake the French economy so that France can assume a respectable position in the world, and he has a chance of succeeding”. For these reasons, “I feel we should in the next crucial two weeks use the utmost discretion in our official statements” (740.5/8–1654).↩