194. Letter From Chancellor Erhard to President Johnson1
Dear Mr. President:
Although the United States Embassy in Bonn has already been given a detailed report on President De Gaulle’s visit to Bonn2 I am anxious to give you my personal impressions. As you know, I had two rather long talks alone with President De Gaulle, as well as a discussion in a wider group.
We dealt with questions concerning his visit to the Soviet Union, the German problem and European affairs. However, our exchange of view naturally centered on the Atlantic Alliance and especially the consequences which France’s decision last March to withdraw her troops from NATO command has for us all. On this point General De Gaulle said that France wanted to remain the ally of her allies. Nor had he, he said, left any doubt in his discussions in the Soviet Union that France will remain on the side of the West. She simply wanted to withdraw from integration and wished to regain her complete freedom of decision. She would, however, fulfill her commitments, especially those flowing from Article 5 of [Page 449] the North Atlantic Treaty. France would fight on the side of her allies in the event of an attack on a partner of the Alliance. President de Gaulle felt that in order duly to prepare for any such joint operations, the French General Staff should elaborate with the NATO-Headquarters plans for all conceivable cases of possible military co-operation. Whilst confirming that these problems would have to be resolved not bilaterally but within the framework of the Alliance, he nevertheless repeatedly underlined the fact that the decision regarding the use of French troops in an emergency would have to be taken by the French Government.
As regards the presence of French troops in Germany, President De Gaulle repeatedly stressed that he would leave French troops in Germany only if that was what we wanted. He would withdraw them at any time we wished, whether now or later. On the matter of the legal questions involved in the stationing of French troops in Germany, we agreed to continue the negotiations already begun.
It was clear from our talks that De Gaulle rejects any automatic commitment in the event of military operation, but he wishes to remain in the alliance of the free nations of the West. On the other hand, he stated that he would in any event leave his troops in Berlin, thus maintaining the joint responsibility for Berlin.
On all these points I explained the German standpoint, with which you are familiar, and again impressed upon President De Gaulle the reasons why we wish to preserve integration and our close ties with the United States. To sum up I would say that our talks helped to clarify our mutual positions, which, I hope, will have become even more distinct by the time I come to Washington at the end of September. Then we shall be able to discuss this matter thoroughly, and also any other questions of particular interest to the United States and Germany.
May I say that I am very much looking forward to our meeting, and that my thoughts are often with you in this troubled period you are going through.
With the expression of my high esteem,
Sincerely yours,