840.00/9–3048
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Achilles)
| Participants: | Mr. J. N. Henderson, British Embassy |
| T. C. Achilles, WE |
Mr. Henderson called to advise us of the steps contemplated by the British Government in connection with the paper of September 9 prepared in the exploratory talks here. It is to be considered, and presumably approved, for the British Government by the Defense Committee [Page 258] on October 8. The Defense Committee consists of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Minister of Defense and the Chiefs of Staff. For security reasons it will not be presented to the Cabinet. At British initiative the paper will then be presented to the Permanent Commission of the Brussels Treaty on October 12 and the Consultative Council (the five Foreign Ministers) at their next meeting on October 26. After approval by the British Government, the British will be in a position to take soundings with the Scandinavians, et cetera, without waiting for consideration by the Consultative Council. Mr. Henderson asked if we thought this timetable too slow.
I expressed the personal opinion that it was not since there was little further that we could do before November.