740.5/8–2450: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State
Depto 62. From Spofford. In course of interview which Holmes1 and I had with Bevin, reported in Embtel 1146, Foskin [ForMin] in portion of discussions which related to NATO and deputies, made three points:
First, he did not feel that in approach to important problems US should regard UK as just another NAT member “like Luxembourg”; second, he feared a wrangle over comparison of national efforts, which he thought would [not] be productive; and third, UK production effort is now the important thing and to get this into operation necessary for UK to know what US aid is to be.
I stated that while I had not been instructed in this matter it was not US intention through NATO procedures to supersede any long standing relationship. Nevertheless, NATO was common effort in which US considered it must disclose and discuss our intentions as to rearmament and defense frankly. This did not exclude bilateral discussions which could continue to be held. In response to his insistence that British are anxious to proceed on production without delay, said I saw no reason why projects for AMP should not be submitted at once.
[Page 240]Foreign Minister said that he felt this was acceptable basis for proceeding and appeared to seize on suggestion that programs could be discussed multilaterally in deputies and bilaterally with respect to UK production concurrently. He then instructed Dixon, who was present, to follow up the arrangements. Will proceed with multilateral discussion in deputies meeting tomorrow as planned.
Sent Department Depto 62, repeated information Paris 296, Frankfort 158, Brussels 49, The Hague 56.
- Julius C. Holmes, Minister in the Embassy at London.↩