Telegram from Secretary of State Dean Acheson to the Department of State

CIASSIFIED TOP SECKLT INCOMING MESSAGE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY STAFF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE ZOP SECRET PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED STATE DEPT MSG FROM: USUN NEW YORK N y SGD ACHESON TO : SECRETARY OF STATE NR 13 SECTO 42 22 SEP 50 REC ID BY STATE 23 SEP 50 Department pass Paris. Sent Department SECTO 42, repeated Paris unnumbered. Following tripartite meeting this afternoon and at French request Acheson and Marshall met bilaterally with Schuman and Moch. Moch made presentation of problems involving act- ivation of ten new divisions by July 1, 1951. According to his calculations French calendar year 1951 military budget, if his announced plans were to be carried out, must total 850 billion francs (610 billion for France plus 240 billion for Indochina). Current military budget totaled 420 billion francs. So far he had obtained Cabinet authorization to request Parliament for additional 160 billion franes (80 already announced by Pleven plus another 80 decided upon in last Cabinet meeting) for 1951 calendar year. This totaled 580 billion and the gap between this figure and the 850 billion required for 1951 was 270 billion franes. It was this gap which must be met if his plans for 1951 were to be realized and he asked US help to this end. He pointed out that he must present his military budget by the end of October and that it must be voted before end of year. American aid already promised and comtemplated con- sisted of end items many of which could not be delivered in time for him to meet his deadline for ten new divisions. CM IN 14616 (23 Sep 50) DECLASSIFIED F.a.00 U.S. 1952 pace 1394 NARS, Date 11-27-74 pay 1394 65 22-1 TOP ID TO DA SCO FORM COPY NO. 15 JAN 1949 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1948 - O-811947