Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Herve Alphand, Philip Jessup, and Lucius Battle

449 1538 DEPARTMENT OF STATE M.Battle Memorandum of Conversation SECRET DATE; kept esta Septemo r 21, 1951 SUBJECT: Froneh Por ition on European Army and "wise Men" : "NATIONAL SERVICE" RECORDS ARCHIVES AND PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Herve Alphand The Secretary Mr. Jessup lir. Battle COPIES TO: Mr. Battle Mr. Perkins Mr. Byrosde Mr. Cabot Mr. Godley u. s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 After the close of the North Atlantie Council session at Ottawa yesterday, Mr. Alphand followed the Secretary to his office in order to make a statement to him cov ring two points. His first point was that France would push ahead as fast as it could in completing the arrangements for the European Army. They ecunted on the help of General Eisenhower in getting them over some of the difficulties. The Secretary broke in to say that he was sure General Eisenhower would be of great assistance in this matter. Alphand continued that it might become necessary in the course of the work of the Paris Conf rence on this subject to have a special meeting in which the U.S. and the U.K. would also participate to discuss the German financial contribution. He indicated that this would involve a consideration of the total cost of a defense effort which Germany would bear and how that total expenditure would be distributed as between the cost of the "occupation" forces on the one hand and the forces which Germany raises for the European Army on the other hand. Alphand's second point was in regard to the Council Resolution establishing the group of twolve "Wise Mon". He said it was of the utmost importance that in reality this group shou 1d work as a group DECLASSIFIED of three. E. o. 11632, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) By NLT. He NARS Date 6.30-76 SECRET Dape of State letter, 5/12/2019