Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLTCNoval Aide) 44 DEPARTMENT OF STATE the OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 Guidelines, March 6, 1982 June 1, 1950 State By Dept. DEB NLT, Date 5-14-85 IOP S E C SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS SCHUMAN PROPOSAL In the opinion of Embassy Paris, it is now evident that the UK will not join in the French declaration on the Schuman plan for pooling Franco- German steel and coal production as now drafted and it appears equally evident that, barring the unexpected, the French will issue the declaration as now drafted and signed by whatever continental countries may join, regardless of the UK attitude. Belgium, Luxem- bourg and Italy have accepted the text and the Dutch have indicated their intention of doing so. It has not been decided, however, whether the French will give the UK a special position in regard to later developments in the sense of keeping the UK currently and officially informed of the details of conversations between the powers adhering to the declaration. One school of political opinion in France, among which the Socialists are prominent, would propose that possible UK objections to the terms of incorporation should be taken into considera- tion and compromise reached to meet the UK view in the hope that as a result the UK would eventually participate. The other school of thought believes that the UK will under no circumstances now or in the near future surrender any measure of sovereignty such as envisaged in the plan and that to invite the UK to join in the forthcoming delibera- tions on a special basis will give it an opportunity to obstruct and sabotage the plan's objectives. Fearing any delay at this juncture, they believe that the tide is now running strongly in their favor and think it wise to ride its crest. INDOCHINA Embassy Paris believes that the success of the US policy of assisting in denying Indochina to the Soviets depends upon encouragement and support of both local nationalism and the French effort in Indochina. Should either of these forces fail, the area would fall without delay to the Communist dominated Viet Minh. The non-Communist nationalists and the French, brought together by the common danger of Communist E