Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Western European Security and Integration, Volume IV

71. Telegram From the United States Delegation at the NATO Heads of Government Meeting to the Department of State¹

Paris, December 14, 1957—9 a.m.

Polto 1758. Following private meeting in PriMin’s office, night of Dec 13,² of Secretary, Gaillard and Pineau, brief discussion was held in presence advisers.

Secretary and PriMin exchanged greetings, Secretary emphasizing importance of questions other than military such as problems of NATO consultation and of combatting Soviet economic warfare now being intensified many parts of world.

Gaillard expressed gratification at President’s participation in Conference, stated French Govt would do all in its power reinforce NATO, make it a more living organism and develop closer relations among members NATO particularly between U.S. and France in view serious problems ahead.

Secretary showed PriMin copy draft President’s speech for opening session,³ pointing out intention not include controversial issues in this public presentation. Gaillard questioned reference in speech to people who had found political liberty on grounds this might be taken as allusion to “certain delicate problems.”

PriMin pointed out importance emphasizing political and economic problems in conference and expressed agreement with Secretary’s reference to danger Soviet economic penetration.

Pineau said wished raise two questions: (1) necessity for consultative arrangements when problems arose affecting two, three or four NATO powers. Pineau stated he had made suggestion orally in Washington⁴ but would provide draft. Secretary said idea was good but we might not wish too rigid arrangements. (2) Question whether mention be made of Middle East which might imply it were only area of importance in view many problems in other areas such as Indonesia, Laos, etc. Gaillard stated omission any reference Middle East would be noticeable in view inclusion at time December 1956 meeting. Secretary said he believed something might be worked out if it were not exclusive.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/12–1457. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Emmerson. His December 13 memorandum of conversation, USDel/MC/9, which gives a more extensive account of this discussion, is ibid., Conference Files: Lot 63 D 123, CF 948.
2. A summary of the discussion at this meeting is in Dulte 1, December 14. (Ibid.)
3. For text of President’s speech given at the opening session, December 16, see Department of State Bulletin, January 6, 1958, p. 3.
4. Pineau came to the United States on November 17, 1957, to take part in the debate on Algeria in the U.N. General Assembly, and visited Washington, November 18–20.