840.50 Recovery/3–2448: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Spain
201. Notwithstanding Franco’s anti-Communist record (Embtel 202 Mar 24) inclusion Spain under present conditions would be manifestly contrary to purposes of ERP. Bill declares it “to be policy of people of US to sustain and strengthen principles of individual liberty free institutions and genuine independence in Europe through assistance to those countries of Europe which participate in joint recovery program based upon self-help and mutual cooperation”.
View of this Govt has been and continues to be that initiative on Span inclusion lies with original CEEC countries. They have made it crystal clear that it is politically impossible for them to cooperate with Spain along lines ERP under present conditions there.
Immediate and violent reaction in West European countries and here against proposed inclusion Spain underlines views of this Govt which you expressed to FonMin Feb 2 and since. You should press home to him and to all who are in position to influence course of events in Spain vivid illustration which this episode provides of necessity of their taking steps along lines previously indicated by you if present [Page 1036] relations with US and West European countries are to become fully normal. We shall do same with Baraibar1 here.
Sent Madrid 201 for action, rptd Amvat 9, London 1142, Paris 1068 for info.
- German Baraibar, Spanish Chargé d’Affaires in the United States.↩