Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

OFFICE OF the THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 1982 February 19, 1952 State DEB Dept. Guidelines, NLT, Date March 9-9-85 6, By SECRET SECURITY INF ORMA TION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS LONDON FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETINGS The Ministers had their first meeting with Chancellor Adenauer yesterday morning. On the subject of war criminals Adenauer had several minor requests concerning the proposed language of a com- munique for the purpose of concentrating attention on the establishment of a clemency board rather than on the Federal Republic's obligations. At Secretary Acheson's suggestion, the Ministers agreed that the High Com- missioners would see what could be done to meet Adenauer's request for publication of the previous criminal records of war criminals. Adenauer felt such publication would assist the German public to a true evaluation of the nature of these persons. On the subject of the German financial contribution, Adenauer said that he had seen the German translation of the "Wise Men's" report only the evening before. He characterized it as well received but said it was impossible for him to agree immediately to the proposed figure for a German contribution. It was necessary to send the report to Bonn and consult his experts but he hoped the delay would be short. Secretary Acheson made a strong request for the earliest possible decisions. He pointed out the interrelationship between the EDC negotiations, German contractual agreements, and the Lisbon discussions. He asserted it is of most vital import not only to make progress but to reach decisions and he hoped the Ministers could return from Lisbon with agreement in principle on the EDC and contractual agreements. In order to do this, decisions must be reached on the financial questions. Adenauer fully agreed and promised to do his best to give a German decision regarding the global amount of a German contribution by the end of the week so that the Lisbon conferees could arrive at decisions. The method of dividing the money between the cost of occupation forces and the German contribution to the EDF was, in his opinion, a question for later discussion. It was agreed that everything should be done at Bonn to reach agreement by this week - end on the global amount, and to reach agreement as soon as possible on a plan of division. SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION