Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

762A.022/3–1050: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France ¹

secret

Washington , March 10, 1950—8 p. m.

1057. Geneva’s tel 337 Mar 8² (being rptd to you). Bring fol Schuman’s personal attention:

Although we felt timing recent French-Saar negots unfortunate, we have gone considerable lengths indicate our general support Fr policy re Saar. Despite prior admonitions to Adenauer reaction to these negots within Ger has been strong and question eventual Ger membership Council of Europe is unclear at this time. Although we hold no brief for many of statements and reactions expressed by Ger govt and polit leaders, we believe nothing further shld be done which might aggravate this situation within Ger until exact nature Ger position known, particularly with ref Ger application for membership in Council of Eur. We, therefore, believe it most important no proposals be initiated for time being by Fr or Saar Govts which raise question of Saar participation in internatl conferences or orgs other than Council of Eur. We wld appreciate Schuman’s cooperation this matter until such time as we can explore entire problem more clearly.³

Acheson

1. Repeated to London as 1105 and to Frankfort as 1596.
2. Not printed; it reported that the French Government had formally requested observer status for the Saar at the June conference of the International Labor Organization. (398.06 ILO/3–850)
3. In telegram 1300, March 20, from Paris, not printed, Embassy Paris reported that the French Foreign Ministry had informed the head of its delegation to the ILO that “France did not want Saar question pushed now.” (762A.022/3–2050)