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TOP SECRET -- STRICTLY LIMIT DISTRIBUTION MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION Bermuda Meeting RESTRICTED SESSION of Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers, December 4, 1953 p.m. Participants: The President of the United States The Prime Minister of Great Britain The Prime Minister of France Secretary of State Dulles Mr. Anthony Eden > M. Georges Bidault M. Bougenot B : D Lieut. Colonel Vernon A. Walters sir Winston churchill opened the meeting by bidding the other participants a hearty welcome. He rejoiced to think that they had met together and expressed his pleasure at being present at this Long-projected meeting. He had long hoped to be able to open the proceedings and as a first action he would like to ask the President of the United States, as the Chief of State, to take the chair to preside at the future meetings. He felt this would be agreeable to all, and he did not propose to add to the labors of the conferees by making a speech before so distinguished an audiance. He felt he would have an oppor- tunity to do this later on and was anxious to get down to business at once. There were still a fewpoints as to proce- dures, times of meetings, etc., to be settled. The sooner this could be done, the better. He then asked president Eisenhower to take over the chair. Prime Minister Laniel then said he wished to express his gratitude to sir Winston in his own name and M. Bidaulti's name for the splendid hospitality that had been shown them since their arrival and to express his warm agreement with the Prime Minister's suggestion that President Eisenhower preside. The President DECL with ASSIFIEDTOP SECRET -- STRICTLY LIMIT DISTRIBUTION Authority STATE PUBLICATION Dept in FILLS Dute 12/5/15 By. DJH NARS Date 1/21/16