Memorandum from Jeffrey Kitchen

feel 1051 Paris, France 33t December 14, 1952 393 The Secretary told me he had been considering the manner in which a statement could be made with regard to the interest of the new Administration in the development of the EDC. He said that it had occurred to him that General Eisenhower might send a Christmas and New Year's message to General Ridgway. This would be a greeting to the SHAPE Commander and his staff from a former comrade in arms. It might comment on how much had been done in the past and speak of the great opportunity that lay ahead in the future. Much remains to be done and the General would express his hope that the one great achievement in the year coming would be the ratification by the various countries of the EDC Treaty. The General might say that he realized there were many problems to be solved and that various countries had different problems, including legal and political ones, which would affect their action regarding the Treaty. He was not qualified to speak regarding these but he did want to set forth his great interest in this fundamental plan of common defense and development. He might state that from the very beginning it has been a major premise of the unified com- mand and of those planning the defense of Europe that Germany must be enabled to participate in the defense of Western Europe and in the increased cooperation and integration of the area. He continued to believe strongly that by this plan it would be possible at long last to reconcile the age- old quarrels of the area. Ratification and succeeding de- velopments would constitute a major step in the ever-expanding unity of Europe, not only with regard to its real security through a defense organization but an economic basis also would be created for expanding the standard of living. This would bring about a true sense of security and confidence for the area. The General might continue that with this arrangement completed and in operation, all the foregoing is possible. Without it, there are grave differences and dilemmas arising, which offer promise only to those whose end is to impede the development of the free peoples of the world. In a few weeks he would be assuming the tremendous re- sponsibility of his new office. He desired to tell his old comrades that his heart was with them in their great task and DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Aug. 9, 1973 CONETDANTIA By NITHH " NARS Data 11-30-76