Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of Belgium Baron Robert Silvercruys, Mr. Robert Rothschild, and George Perkins

467 3365 INFORMAY CON DET ARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation any jo DATE: CURT January 10, 1952 RECORDS SERVICE" SUBJECT: EDC PARTICIPANTS: Baron Silvercruys, Belgian Ambassador Mr. Robert Rothschild, Belgian Counselor The Secretary Mr. G. W. Perkins, Assistant Secretary, EUR COPIES TO: S/S G GER EUR RA WE u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 I started the conversation by indicating that we felt it was very important that action be taken by NATO early in 1952. It was either nove forward in this period of time or backward. There were three things which had to be done. One was to establish the EDC; one. was to complete the contractual arrangements with Germary; and the other was the adoption of the TCC recommendations. The situation was particularly difficult because of the French governmental troubles at the present time, and, although I was not familiar with the situation in Belgium, perhaps the governmental situation there might further complicate the situation. Baron Silvercruys interrupted to say that he was sure everyone in Belgium wanted to get where we wanted them to be, but there was a question as to how. fast this could be accomplished I continued that perhaps the US could be helpful in the situation. We had one of the few opportunities that has ever existed to heal the breach between Germany and France, which has caused so much trouble in the past. The combination of Schuman and Adenauer both in office at the same time was a rare opportunity. In New York, in 1950, we had DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (T) 5-12-20 Dept. of State letter, 1973 INTRODUCTION Ey NLT- HC NARS Date 7-1-76