840.20/2–2849: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
niact
urgent
284. Spaak urges most strongly that Norway be asked join Atlantic Pact as charter member as otherwise he feels Lange may be in gravest trouble. (My telegram 271, February 24.1) He says Norway having withstood Swedish pressure to form Scandinavian regional bloc based upon neutral policy vis-à-vis Russia and wishing decline suavely invitation to sign non-agression pact is now entitled to have full support of Atlantic Pact powers as original signatory such a regional agreement. Spaak is instructing his Ambassador Washington this sense and asks me to reinforce Belgian’s position with you as matter of extreme importance and urgency. He says Norway should be asked join before tomorrow’s meeting Norwegian Parliament as otherwise events in that country may take unforeseeable turn.
Spaak says he understands all parties agree Norway should be asked to join but that French are holding out for similar charter membership for Italy. This he thinks unfortunate and unnecessary as he says situations are not comparable since Italy not under immediate and heavy Russian pressure. He believes Italy can afford to wait and he fears she will in any case try to bargain and quibble. He is seeing French Ambassador here today to give these views. Italian Ambassador has attempted persuade Spaak support Italy but Spaak has replied he felt it was not urgent at present moment and needed more consideration.
Sent Department 284, repeated London 24, Paris 42.
- Not printed.↩