Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Western Europe, Volume IV

840.20/12–2949: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices ¹

secret

Washington, December 29, 1949—8 a. m.

NAT Council will meet Jan 6 consider recommendations Dec 1 Paris mtg of Defense Comite.

Secy will chair mtg with Washington Ambs representing other member countries.

Most important item on Agenda is Strategic concept for Defense of North Atlantic area which shld be approved since individual member govts have already agreed to it. (Approval of concept by Council is necessary before President can consider it in connection with release of nine hundred million MDAP appropriation.)

[Here follow comments on five other items on the agenda of the January 6 meeting of the NAT Council.]

Acheson

1. Sent to the Embassies at London, Paris, Rome, Brussels (repeated to Luxembourg), The Hague, Copenhagen, Oslo, Lisbon, Ottawa, and to the Legation at Reykjavik.