Central (C): General (C). Political Exchanges Leading Towards Four-Power Talks on the Future of Germany

A file containing documents about potential German reunification. The file contains an account of conversations with Georges Bidault, the French foreign minister, about the impossibility of a united Germany being part of the European Defence Community (E.D.C.); discussion of a prime ministerial reply to Konrad Adenauer, the German chancellor; and discussion of a meeting of the six E.D.C. foreign ministers in Paris. Other documents include discussion of commitments made to Franz Blücher, the German vice-chancellor; Germany and the Bermuda talks; press reaction to the postponement of the Bermuda talks; incorporating West Germany into European defence; a Bundestag debate outlining the federal government's programme for reunification; reactions of France and the United Kingdom to both the Berlin uprising and American support for Adenauer in the elections; discussion of policy towards Russia and a four-power conference; potential pressure from the United States to take action on German reunification; and Adenauer's views on an East-West settlement.