Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

MiTCHANOL Addition OFFICE OF DECLASSIFIED THE SECRETARY OF STATE E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 WASHINGTON State By DEB NLT, Date 9-6-85 Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 December 21, 1951 TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS UNITED KINGDOM During Churchill's and Eden's conversations with GeneralsEisenhower and Gruenther in Paris on Tuesday Churchill first talked about the European Defense Force, which he said is not turning out to be what he had in mind. Churchill said the present EDF concept is inefficient and lacks effectiveness; he feels that it should have been a coalition force consisting of national con- tributions in units of divisions, including German divisions. He favors a strong French army and believes that without this Europe cannot de- - fend itself; therefore he will do everything he can to help the French build up their forces. Throughout the foregoing conversation General Eisenhower pounded Churchill vigorously emphasizing the vital im- portance of British support for the EDF. Churchill reiterated on several occasions that he would not hinder or throw cold water on the EDF, des- pite his lack of enthusiasm for its present status. The discussion also touched on Indochina, British Ambassador Harvey expressed the view that if the French were pushed too hard they might well give up their effort in IC. Eden said that the French defense of IC was of tremendous significance to the free world and of vital importance to Malaya and to Siam. Churchill then mentioned two matters which he said he would discuss in Washington. First was the protection of the atomic bases in England. He pointed out that they would be a prime target and yet the UK was down to only 80 mosquitos for night protection. He said that a number of Canadian squadrons were scheduled to come to Eisenhower's command and he hoped that arrangements could be made to have them remain in the UK for a certain time. The second matter Churchill mentioned that he would take up in Washington was his request for steel. He said the UK was going to ask for "a lot" of steel but "not as a contribution. 11 He indicated that he would in return be able to offer some tin but that he did not intend to link the steel directly with tin. TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMA TION-