FRENCH CABINET- KEY PERSONALITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200340007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 3, 1998
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: June 23, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

QRIov1443R000200340007-7
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : NSC BRIEFING NOTES 23 June 1954
FRENCH CABINET-KEY PERSONALITIES
Mendes-France, Pierre (Radical Socialist) Premier, Foreign Minister:
1. Born 1907. Economic financial expert. Leading exponent
"realistic" approach to France's role in world affairs
-- i.e.: commensurate with country's capabilities.
2. Escaped to Britain in World War, fought with Gaullist
forces.
3. Prepared rehabilitation plan for post-war France; was
minister of national economy from September 1944 --
January 1945, resigned upon failing get program
accepted. Economic policy still his major interest;
present program calls for increased investments, cut-back
of non-productive governmental expenditures, notably
military.
4. Maintains that France can expect to be treated on an
equal footing with its allies only when it has limited
its commitments to those it can be sure of fulfilling.
5. As long ago as October 1950, asserted Indochina too
costly, proposed negotiations with Ho Chi Minh, even
if this meant important French concessions, Claimed
priority should be given to European defense.
6. Proposes to effect far-reaching reforms in North
Africa, reversing current repressive policy.
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Koenig, Pierre, General (Gaullist) Minister of National Defense:
1. Left active service 1951 to have freedom to express
ideas, especially on defense. Elected deputy to National
Assembly 1951; President, National Assembly Committee
on National Defense from 1951 until present cabinet
post, as such favored anti-EDC Moch report.
2. Age 55, born in Normandy of Alsatian stock, looks
Germanic; fluent German. Disliked as "upstart" by
old-line Army regulars: never attended Ecole de
Guerre (rose from ranks to 2nd. Lt. in World War I);
rapidly promoted from captain (1939) to full general
under De Gaulle. Good administrator, but little
experience in large-scale handling of combat troops.
3. As Governor General and Commander in Chief of French
Forces, Occupied Germany (1945-1949), faithfully re-
presented French policy opposing economic and political
reunification of Germany. Personally, however, was
enthusiastic proponent of Franco-German accord.
4. Feels France hasn't done enough in building up defenses
(called for "40 French divisions without delay" about
1.950).
La Chambre, Guy (Ind.) Minister for the Associated States:
1. Born 1898. Pre-war cabinet experience, inconspicuous
postwar political role.
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2. Pro-EDC: Likely to be overshadowed in new post because
Mendes-France is expected to take leading role on Indo-
china.
.
Guerin de Beaumont, Jean-Michel (Ind.) Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs:
1. Born 1896. Career diplomat, intellectual, conciliator.
Specialist on EDC, Pro-Atlantic and Pro-American.
2. Played major role in getting Independent support for
EDC, but now advocates changes which would destroy
supranational character of EDC.
3. Critical of: US Far East policy; pressure on France
for EDC ratification.
Mitterrand, Francois (UDSR) Minister of Interior
1. Born 1916. Dynamic, imaginative, an idea man. Replaced
Pleven as National President UDSR November 1953.
2. Resigned September 1953 from Laniel cabinet in protest
against North African policy. Believes key to future of
France lies in Euro-African build up. Advocates far-
reaching economic and Social reforms in Africa. Would
end Indochina war to permit concentration African.
'3. Concerned with role of French Union in integrated
European community.
Faure, Edgar (Radical Socialist) Minister of Finance:
1. Born 1908. Postwar political experience largely in
finance, held same post under Laniel. Was Premier in
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February 1952--youngest such in Fourth Republic.
Emphasizes economic build-up France at all costs to
fight internal Communism. Wants cut-back defense
expenses to permit raising living. standards; believes
postponement or change in EDC necessary to forestall
Left-Right alliance in France.
3. Feels prompt armistice necessary in Indochina; favors
direct negotiations with Ho; holds best solution would
be partition.
Fouchet, Christian (GRS) Minister of Moroccan and Tunisian
Affairs
1. Born 1911. Lawyer, career diplomat on special leave
to serve in Assembly; diplomatic service largely in
Moscow and Calcutta.
2. Rallied to De Gaulle in 1940; went to Moscow with De
Gaulle in 1944.
3. Probably put in cabinet by party friends to block any
far-reaching reforms for North Africa: Paris Embassy
expects trouble between him and Mitterrand on African
policy.
Bourges-Maunoury, Maurice, (Radical Socialist) Minister Commerce
and Industry:
Born 1914: has held several ministerial positions.
1. /Reported in 1951 to be Gaullist, Radical Socialist in
name only.
2. Considered pro-EDC; recent press report states he and
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Koenig will meet with Mendes-France on Saturday to plan
consultation in quest of a compromise EDC solution that
can command a large majority. 25X1X6-0
3. He told that he had given
Mendes-France a letter stating he would resign from the
cabinet if the government broke France's previous international
commitments by presenting a modified EDC treaty for
ratification.
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