396.1 LO/2–1352: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State 1

secret

3517. In exchange of views on Saar question, FonOff rep expressed agreement with analysis and conclusions in paras 1 and 3 of Dept’s 1538 to Bonn February 11, rptd Paris 4737.2

Recommendations which have been placed before Eden conflicted, however, with procedure outlined para 2. These recommendations are that UK, and if possible US, shld for present confine themselves to exerting pressure on Fr and Gers to solve Saar problem between themselves. FonOff believes that if US and UK discuss substance of settlement with Fr, result will inevitably be some measure of commitment on our part to Fr position with possibility Fr acceptance of position to which they may feel themselves forced by US–UK pressure. Also possibility similar situation for Gers with resultant likelihood mental reservation for both re any agreement thus arrived at. FonOff feels that US–UK participation in working out substance of proposed solution will also involve us in some measure of responsibility, in Ger eyes, for internal situation in Saar. Subject to Eden’s agreement, therefore, FonOff conviction is that we shld exhaust possibilities of seeking to induce Fr and Gers to agree between themselves before US and UK participate in working out solution.

FonOff rep also expressed doubt whether Adenauer cld agree that negots for settlement Saar problem shld not begin until after EDC treaty and contractual arrangements have come into effect, even though terms of Bundestag resolution apparently do not make settlement condition precedent to EDC treaty or contractual arrangements.

Gifford
  1. Repeated for information to Bonn, Paris, and Strasbourg.
  2. Ante, p. 31.