Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

ARE OFFICE OF DECLASSIFIED THE SECRETARY OF STATE E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 WASHINGTON State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 9-11-85 December 3, 1952 TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS WESTERN A UK Foreign Office representative has told EUROPE Embassy London that although ratification of the European Defense Community (EDC) had been postponed, the British believe it will be achieved and are still banking on it. The UK spokesman pointed out that no alternative method of bringing German forces into Western defense arrangements had been evolved. While the British are not in a position to needle France on ratification, they have been conducting military talks for several months with the French. By this means the British expect to live up to their declared policy of establishing the closest possible relationship with the EDC. In the British view, it may be necessary to wait until Easter for French ratifi- cation. The danger now looming is that France may attach con- ditions which may make it necessary to renegotiate the EDC treaty. The UK official believed German parliamentary action should come this week, followed by a favorable court opinion and other steps necessary to complete German ratification in due course. Reports received from the British observer in- dicate slow progress is being made on the complex questions involved working out the European Political Community. The British also state they are working seriously to aid the develop- ment of the European inland transport organization. TRIESTE Embassy London reports the Italians have learned in advance of our proposal for settlement of the Trieste problem, presumably through the French, who apparently informed a ranking UN official. While Foreign Secretary Eden has not yet taken a position on the plan, the Foreign Office is considering how the Italian knowledge of the plan affects the situation. The British official may recommend that our ap- proach now be made to Prime Minister DeGasperi. If DeGasperi reacts unfavorably, the plan should be dropped; if he reacts favorably we must again consider where we stand, bearing in mind the unfavorable Yugoslav reaction anticipated by the British. TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION-