840.20/8–1249: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy
priority
1813. Today we talked with Ital Chargé Luciolli re organization to be established under NAP. Outlined proposed mil planning organization under Defense Comite briefly as fol:
Mil Advisory Council (composed of a mil rep of each signatory) followed by a Steering and Executive Group which in turn is followed by Regional Planning Groups for Western Eur, North Atlantic Ocean, Northern Eur, Western Mediterranean, and Canada-US. This represents Plan “B”1 discussed between US JCS and Ital CS Frankfurt and copies thereof being despatched from Gen Gruenther to Gen Marras2 thru Harmony3 who shld receive shortly.
Pointed out to Luciolli that main difference thinking Ital and US is on composition Steering and Exec Group. US prefers Steering and Exec Group of US UK and Fr while Ital are apparently strongly of opinion Ital shld be member. We emphasized we do not agree this idea because
- (1)
- Membership of three considered largest consistent with insuring efficient operation Steering and Exec Group
- (2)
- All nations will be represented Regional Planning Groups below Steering and Exec Group and on Mil Advisory Council above Steering and Exec Group. Hence no possibility any one country’s interests not being adequately protected
- (3)
- Steering and Exec Group would be expected consult with any nation not represented thereon when that nation’s interests affected
- (4)
- Steering and Exec Group merely coordinating body and question member thereof representing interests of non-member country does not arise
- (5)
- We consider mil organization must be simple and streamlined to operate efficiently and that question national interests subservient overall objective maintaining and developing collective defense capacity North Atlantic area.
Pointed out our objection Ital membership Steering and Exec Group did not apply just to Ital. We believe Steering and Exec Group would be unworkable if enlarged. We did point out that for political reasons e.g. Ital Peace Treaty we thought it would be most unlikely for them be included Steering and Exec Group even if it were enlarged.
Foregoing for use in such manner as you deem appropriate in talking with Sforza. You shld impress on him impossibility obtaining Ital membership and express hope Itals will not press for this during [Page 320] forthcoming informal working group discussions expected begin about Aug 22. Such procedure wld only serve confuse and delay progress working group.