16 NATION CONFERENCE TO SIGN MARSHALL PLAN DOCUMENT aka MARSHAL PLAN CONF
Quai d'Orsay, Paris, France
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<br/>16 NATION CONFERENCE TO SIGN MARSHALL PLAN DOCUMENT
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<br/>GV. Opening remarks of Georges Bidault (French Defence Minister and Vice Prime Minister) Speaking in French, referring to Marshall plan. SV. Bidault finishing speech and sitting down. SV. Ernest Bevin, Foreign Secretary, presiding over meeting. LV. Bevin presiding over meeting and making announcements. SV Bevin makes speech. GV Pan of conference.
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<br/>Natural Sound - Bevin's Speech: 'We are now coming to the end, of what I call the beginning. On June 5th of last year, Mr Marshall gave our Government and people a new stimulus of self help through mutual help. Since that memorable speech, neither the American Government or people, nor the Governments and peoples here represented have wasted time. We in Europe have prepared a statement of our pledged and our needs, the United States Government and Congress responded to these needs and passed with generous speed legislation designed to meet them. We on our part have now put our pledges into solemn obligation and have devised an organization to help not only to administer American Aid but also to bring about permanent sound European economy. At our last meeting we appointed a working party to do a thorough job and to do it quickly. They have done both. I am sure you will agree that the proceedings and documents show a sound sense of urgency of purpose and a determination not to let prestige or prejudice hamper progress, or to allow too much detail to interfere with the building up of a flexible and workmanlike structure, and our gratitude to them should be recorded in the proceedings of this meeting. Similarly, to the staff who have rendered such valuable assistance. The structure of the new organization is one that leaves room for development and for expansion to include all European countries who will genuinely subscribe to the aims of the organization. All the members of the working party have played a worthy part in these preparations, and have developed still further in their proceedings, the spirit of harmonious cooperation which has characterized the earlier stages of this work. I need hardly repeat, our own determination to do everything to contribute to the new organizations success, for on its success depends the orderly and peaceful development of Europe. His Majesty's Government will continue to take the keenest interest in its work, and they have appointed as the United Kingdom alternate with the rank of Ambassador to represent us at meetings on the official level, the former Deputy undersecretary of State to the Foreign Office, Sir Edmund Hall-Patch whose close association with the economic problems of Europe are well known to all our partners in this enterprise. We want to see the new organization work with the same skill and speed as has hitherto been devoted to the task our peoples demanded and I know we should not fail them. I think we should also adopt the suggestion of Mr. McBride at this stage, authorizing the Secretariat to send a resolution to the United States government and people for their generous response. (Bevin sits down and mutters "I've added a bit in though" as he hands copy of speech to assistant).
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<br/>(Comb.Dupe.Neg.)