Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLT (Naval Aide) 90 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 September 25, 1950 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 6-7-55-108 T SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS FOREIGN MINISTERS The meetings of the Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers held in New York on Friday and Saturday were devoted to an effort to obtain French agree- ment to the use of German troops in an integrated western European defense force. The Secretary explained the delicate situation regard- ing ability to proceed in creating a European army in the absence of agreement on German participation. He noted the forthcoming Atlantic Council meeting this week and pointed out that the Defense Ministers were to meet on October 16 which would arouse a continu- ing and increasing public interest in the matter. He said that he considered German participation essential and that it was necessary to find ways and means to deal in some way with the question at the forthcoming meetings. Secretary Marshall pointed out the diffi- culties which would be encountered in getting the necessary appro- priations from the Congress if some assurance could not be given to the American people that Germans would share the burden of defend- ing German soil. Mr. Bevin and Mr. Shinwell supported the US position and pointed out to the French their belief that it would be fatal not to take advantage of the US offer of troops. General Marshall agreed with Bevin on the psychological importance of maintaining the initiative. Mr. Schuman in the earlier meetings took the position that it was not possible for him to agree even to the ultimate use of German units and indicated that the French Govern- ment would be ready in nine months to consider the problem. He said that in the meantime the idea was not rejected and that the French did not wish to prohibit discussion of the problem at this time. In a later, private session of the Ministers Mr. Moch, the French Defense Minister, said that there is a chance of getting a "package" agreement from the French parliament which would include German participation, but that the contents of the "package" must include precise information on what the French can expect from US under the aid program and how many and at what date US divisions would arrive in Europe. He said he needed a great deal of ammunition if he is to sell this package to his parliament but that he TOP SECRET