Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 7-4-85 March 13, 1951 R E T SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS FOUR-POWER At the seventh session of the Paris talks, EXPLORATORY TALKS on Monday, the Soviets presented the following new wording for item 2 of their agenda proposal: "re-establishment of German unity and conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany. " In presenting the revised item 2 the Soviet delegate took pains to point out the importance which the Soviet delegation attached to the term "acceleration" and to the withdrawal of occupation forces. He expressed the view that these matters would obviously have to be discussed in connection with the preparation of a German peace treaty, but in the interest of arriving at an agreement with the three other powers, the Soviet delegation was prepared to alter its wording as indicated above. At the same session the Soviets rejected the new tripartite formulation of item 1, proposed on Saturday. SPAIN Over the weekend Ambassador Griffis had three significant interviews in Madrid: with the new British Ambassador Balfour; with the second highest officer of the Spanish army including high members of his staff; and with the Spanish Minister of Commerce, Suanzes. Ambassador Balfour defended British policy toward Spain both on the grounds of high morality and domestic political considerations, claiming there would be ruinous repercussions on both leading British political parties if present policy were changed. He said, however, that he personally saw absolutely no objection whatever to the US arming Spain and making any necessary arrangements for air bases or commitments to the Spanish army for fighting north of the Pyrenees. In his talks with the Spanish military leader Ambassador Griffis was told that the Gibralter question was purely a sentimental question and was of no great military value. The General said that the military visualized Spain's role under the present political and strategic situation in defense of western Europe as defense of the Pyrenees, SECRET