740.5/8–2450: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford), at London1
Todep 45. This is State–Def msg. 1. Re Depto 68 Aug 24 we approve general line you propose taking subj to fol comments on numbered paras reftel:
2. Re para 5 we agree that consideration of unity of command and mil org wld require consideration at top governmental level on advice competent mil authorities. For that purpose recommend Fr proposal be referred by Deps to Chairman Def Comite who can forward to SG for initial study. Believe Fr shld be encouraged to be ready to expand on mil ideas in appropriate NAT mil bodies which will have to consider proposal.
Re sentence “US agrees NATO mil agencies shld be requested forthwith to make recommendations” etc., believe modification shld be made to state US proposes NATO mil agencies shld be requested to make studies and such recommendations as they may deem appropriate.
Re sentence “NATO command or staff activities cld cover areas” etc. we do not think it appropriate for Deps now to discuss areas of NAT mil command, staff, or planning activity. Shld this subj be raised however you shld say you assume areas covered by NAT mil planning will be considered by mil in light of developing most effective plans for def of NAT area.
US shld favor initiative by Brussels Pact authority to recommend steps fading out Brussels Pact Mil Org in favor of NATO Mil Org.
3. Re para 6 we agree with line you propose in this para but are somewhat apprehensive lest Alphand interpret phrase “actively studied” as indicative that very early solution in line with Fr view [Page 250] will be reached. In view very fundamental problems posed by Fr proposals this respect it will obviously require careful and thorough examination and study. Also, we not certain when, where, and by whom you envisage “active study” being conducted.
4. Re para 10 we prefer you take same general line as in para 8. This in no way commits us and seems more consistent with general trend of comments.2
- Repeated to Paris as telegram 988.↩
- This message did not reach Spofford in time to affect his conversation with Alphand on August 27. However, Spofford in his telegram Depto 76 of that date, 10 p. m., said that the line he had taken was generally close to the Department’s positions expressed in Todep 45. He added that he would find occasion the next day to express more precise views based on paragraph 2 of Todep 45. He suggested that the nonmilitary organizational questions be studied in London, provided the French did not count on rapid agreement or delay progress on concrete programs while seeking such agreement, a qualification he had made in his conversation with Alphand. Depto 76 not printed, 740.5/8–2750.↩