Date

May 7, 1963

Description

Von Hassell's disclaimers notwithstanding, Kennedy and his advisers remained wary of the prospects of a Franco-German entente. A report (cited in the Thomas memorandum) about an alleged French request to West Germany for financial support for their Pierrelatte gaseous diffusion plant raised White House hackles, despite German and French disavowals. McGeorge Bundy asked the CIA and the Atomic Energy Commission [AEC] to investigate the report and the State Department to develop policy recommendations in light of the findings.

Source

JFKL, National Security Study Memoranda, box 391, NSAM 241

Document published in following posting(s):

Preoccupations with West Germany’s Nuclear Weapons Potential Shaped Kennedy-Era Diplomacy

Feb 2, 2018

National Security Action Memorandum 241, National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy to Secretary of State, Director of Central Intelligence and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, "Report on French Gaseous Diffusion Plant," 7 May 1963, report on "France" attached