DECLASSHHED 2 gm DIM Authority ND 70 I wa 29 THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE 500 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA F 35 $39 7 I uni- SECRET AM ER I CAN EM BASSY Paris 20 December 1956 MEMORANDUM run GERARD SMITH This morning the Ambassador gave me a full account of his meeting with Bourges-Manoury as reported in his telegram to the Department of yesterday 3058 December 19 He amplified one point only summarily referred to in the telegram and asked me to pass it on to you In referring to the change in French attitude Bourges stated that this includes a new unanimity among virtually all significant political elements on the issue of going ahead with production of nuclear weapons The Ambassador took this to mean that Mollet no longer holds to his declarations such as those made in the Asembl e Nationals in the course of the Euratom debates that his party and he personally would make every effort to keep France from exercising the liberty to produce weapons reserved by France in connection with the Euratom negotiations The Ambassador feels that Bourges' observation although made in a casual way was intended as a notice of France's arrival at-a firm position on this most important issue He thinks that the possibility is not to be entirely discounted that this position may be changed with changed political circumstances and a new government Granting such a possibility he nevertheless regards Our chances of influencing France to forego production of nuclear weapons by offering Special training to her military or even by giving custody of weapons produced by us as greatly reduced as a result of this of French Opinion Max Isenbergh 4734 42 on 3 4 Eu u 3m 69 Si 3 3311 ASSISTANT THE SECRETARY This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu