Journal of European Integration History – Revue d'histoire de l'

The Diplomacy of ‘dignified calm’ 99That was precisely the message Lemass wished to direct towards Brussels andthe capitals of the Six. The articles emphasised that the Irish were prepared to enterthe EEC even if the British application failed. Secondly, the journalists stressedLemass's positive attitude towards NATO and the defence of Europe. The text ofthe press conference was circulated widely to senior Commission officials and theforeign ministries of the Six throughout September. Biggar reported that he hadseen Spaak on 18 September and the Ambassador had been told to see the Belgiandeputy foreign minister. Fayat appeared to be impressed when he was shown thetext of Lemass's press conference. 79 Ambassador McDonald was called to the Quaid'Orsay on 19 September 1962 where he learned that the French had already readthe reports of the press conference. 80There was discussion in Dublin in mid-September about the idea of followingup the distribution of the text of Lemass's press conference with the sending of anaide memoire to Hallstein in anticipation of the Council meeting on 27 September.However, senior officials in Finance and in Foreign Affairs successfully arguedagainst such a démarche on the grounds that,“a), It might revive old misgivings about Ireland's economic capacity; andb), Hallstein might take the line that any such document should be addressed to thegovernments of the member states.”It was decided, instead, that Ambassador Biggar would request an interviewwith Hallstein and simply speak from a prepared note. Hallstein saw Biggar on 20September when he spoke in general terms about the international situation. Hallsteinwas delighted at the recent success of the de Gaulle's visit to Germanybetween 4 and 9 September 81 and at the contact between de Gaulle and Adenauer.It demonstrated the desire for Franco-German reconciliation and their determinationto avoid any possibility of a future war was far more deeply and sincerely feltthan even the German press suspected. Hallstein regarded it as a veritable plebiscitefor peace and friendship. Whatever about his euphoria about the German visit ofGeneral de Gaulle, he was quite non-committal about the Irish situation. 82Only the very sanguine in Dublin would have expected anything significant toemerge from the meeting of the Council on 27 September 1962 on the Irish application.Irish diplomatic sources had been favourably impressed by the reaction inmost of the capitals of the Six concerning the Irish application; but the French wereidentified in Dublin as being the major problem and that proved to be the case.Couve de Murville told his fellow ministers at the Council that he had no objectionin principle to the Irish application but that he had to refer back to Paris for instructions.There was no alternative but to adjourn the item until the following meeting.8379. Biggar to Cremin, 19 September 1962, S17246O/62, Department of the Taoiseach, National Archives,Bishop St., Dublin.80. Ambassador MacDonald saw Soutou.81. See J. LACOUTURE, De Gaulle: The Ruler, 1945-1970, London 1991, p. 341.82. Biggar to Cremin, 21 and 24 September 1962, D/T, S17246Q/62, NAI.83. Ambassador Lennon, The Hague, to Cremin, 1 October 1962, D/T, S17246Q/62, NAI.