Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XIII, Western Europe Region

89. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to the Posts in the NATO Capitals¹

Washington, June 10, 1965, 7:58 p.m.

2484. There have been repeated rumors that French may shortly ask US in effect to vacate certain military facilities in France. While we now suspect that such a request will be postponed until after the French elections in December we cannot be sure of this. The following guidance is therefore being sent against the contingency that the request will be made within the next few weeks or months.

A French request of the US to vacate certain or all military facilities in France or place them under French command would be consistent with emerging policies of Elysee, and would probably be preliminary step to subsequent French move, which likely take place after French elections, to disengage France from NATO organization and specifically from integrated NATO military activities.

Premature reaction (i.e. by pressing for immediate across-board confrontation on French intentions re NATO) to early French request to withdraw from certain military facilities could be harmful to our interests and to NATO. It could permit French to argue it was we and not they who were taking initiative to exclude France from NATO community, and thus to break up the Alliance. A reaction of this kind would also prevent us from engaging in essential systematic and intensive consultation with our allies to ensure that Alliance responds effectively to any French political attack, and emerges without unnecessary loss of strength. Moreover, while internal study already underway, US Government will need some time to study effect and cost of various ways in which we might act. (FYI. At later stage we may well wish use French request for removal facilities as basis for general confrontation, depending on timing, tactics, public presentation, etc. End FYI.)

Accordingly, our present plan is to respond along following lines to any early official inquiry about US reaction to French demand, if made, for withdrawal of some or all American military presence from France:

1. Naturally we shall give careful consideration to any French request, with specific reference to:

(a) the effect of withdrawal actions on the defensive capabilities of the Alliance and on NATO itself;

(b) the relevant provisions of the legal arrangements under which the facilities in question are established in France;

(c) the military effects and the cost of removing facilities from France and making the necessary alternative arrangements;

(d) the consequences of any substantial change in the US military establishment in France as regards NATO as a whole.

2. The US would respond to a French request only after a careful review of these questions, and after such military and political consultation as might be required particularly with allies dependent upon supplies and services now furnished through France or allies whose territories might be affected by alternative arrangements. FYI: DOD study on LOC and other US facilities in France and their possible relocation is now underway. Conclusions this study available in several weeks. Only then could consultation with allies begin as a necessary precondition to relocation. Consequently, immediate or hasty response to any French request for withdrawal infeasible on practical as well as psychological grounds. End FYI.

3. Our allies should be left in no doubt that US commitment to NATO and determination to provide full political and military support remains unimpaired.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 15–5 FR–US. Secret. Drafted by Leddy and Schaetzel; cleared by Ball, Thompson, and Kitchen; and approved by Rusk. Also sent to Paris for USRO and POLADs SHAPE and EUCOM, Rome for Burris at Naples, and Bonn for Parelman.