840.20/3–249: Telegram
The Ambassador in Denmark (Marvel) to the Secretary of State
164. I have just talked with Prime Minister Hedtoft who informed me of proposal he will present to Foreign Affairs Committee which meets late this afternoon. He stated he had exhausted all efforts to create Scandinavian Pact and secondly Swedish Danish Pact. Denmark [Page 140] now will join North Atlantic Pact. He proposes to send by plane to Washington on March 7 the Foreign Minister to acquaint Secretary State with Denmark’s position, I asked him whether answers Lange had received were not same ones Rasmussen would seek. Hedtoft stated that answers given Lange were in general satisfactory but there were two reasons to send Rasmussen (1) to explain more exposed position Denmark is in as compared with Norway and (2) to be in position to state to Danish Parliament Denmark has received these answers directly through conversations between Foreign Minister and Secretary State. Rasmussen may also request appointment with President. It is contemplated he will reach Washington eight or nine days.
Hedtoft went on to say that it was important Denmark and Norway from now on be associated together and consequently would request Kauffmann sit in on North Atlantic Pact discussions which he understood would be joined by Norwegians March 8. He was not clear whether request for Kauffmann to do so would be as observer or participant.
If Hedtoft’s proposal adopted by committee I see it has certain advantages (1) Rasmussen’s trip to Washington would publicize remarks simultaneous association with Norway in joining pact and (2) it would permit Rasmussen to state in Parliament he had himself received satisfactory answers from US without which opposition in Danish Parliament might increase.
I understand from my British colleague that Washington and London have agreed that Norway alone together with the seven original countries should be founding participants. If this policy is adhered to I think Danish situation can be solved by permitting Kauffmann to sit in on conferences merely as observer. Am certain Danes will agree to this as I have just talked with Foreign Minister and he sees no objection to handling matter this way. Hedtoft told me Kauffmann as yet unaware of this program but undoubtedly he will be informed if it is adopted by committee.1
- In telegram No. 86, March 3 to Denmark, Acheson expressed gratification over the Prime Minister’s statement, said that he would be pleased to see the Foreign Minister in Washington, and stated that he knew of no agreement that Norway alone together with the seven participating countries would be the original signatories. He added that he would not favor such a restriction. (840.20/3–349)↩