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CONFIDENTIAL
THE UK/FRENCH/FRG RELATIONSHIP
(First draft outline)
[The paper will start with a 1-2 page summary of its
purpose, analysis and conclusions, offering a guide
inter alia to the various annexes. The paper has a
three-part structure: the nature of the problem; the
case for action; practical circumstances and
objectives.]
I.
The Nature of the Problem
a) The structure
(formal consultative commitments
etc) and recent achievements of the Franco-German
axis. Its historical/psychological/political
background; its applications in the Community,
defence, industrial, popular etc fields. (Note
among other things that it is not an equal and
reciprocal relationship, but involves German
surrender to French interests in the great
majority of cases.) Refer to Annex A, a research
paper being prepared for a separate purpose by
Research Department and WED in consultation with
posts. [The main paper will not go into the
findings of the research exercise at length, but
rather draw attention to its chief features and
conclusions.]
CONFIDENTIAL
1