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The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
Depto 56. 1. Following is report of first meeting August 22 of second session deputies.
[Here follow brief coverage of procedural matters and introduction of the subject discussed below.]
6. Chairman urged consideration country replies to US query on increased defense efforts as basis conclusions and recommendations deputies. Proposed that country replies be distributed to deputies today and their consideration begun Thursday. Expressed hope that deputies, with country replies to indicate totality of planned country efforts, and information available from NATO sources to show magnitude of defense task, would appraise adequacy of present plans of countries, make recommendations to governments on measures to remedy any inadequacy found, and recommend governments without prejudice longer term programs proceed immediately with specific steps undertaken in country replies.
[Page 232]7. UK deputy (Dixon)1 objected to discussing country replies to US now and indicated UK prefers to proceed with HC [DC?] urgent production program as planned and defer until later any consideration by deputies as to adequacy collective defense plans NAT members. Said UK inception three-year production program held up only by absence necessary US aid. No other deputies objected to immediate discussion country replies as soon as collated. French and Netherlands deputies especially anxious that deputies discuss country replies and avoid bilateral approach.
8. Chairman stated that while a working group would have to study the replies carefully, and while they did not proport to be final statements of planned defense efforts of governments concerned, they were nevertheless a useful indication of thinking of governments and discussion by deputies would be beneficial to both short and long term programs.
9. In view UK objections, but without modifying US position that country replies should be discussed on Thursday, chairman without objection distributed replies at today’s meeting and deferred until Thursday meeting the decision on their discussion.
[Here follows a brief treatment of four matters of a procedural nature that were discussed prior to adjournment until the morning of August 24.]
- Sir Pierson John Dixon, Deputy Under Secretary of State, Foreign Office.↩