Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Western Europe, Volume III

740.5/12–550: Telegram

The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State

top secret

London, December 5, 1950—1 p. m.

Depto 271. Deputies 38th meeting December 4.

1. Revised draft report on Germany (Depto 266)¹ approved subject minor changes, general French reservation and reservation paragraph 7 (a) on size of German formations and 7 (b) on German air units for consideration by joint meeting. Portuguese deputy reserved position on formation European Army, its integration into NATO force, and its subordination to political institutions (paragraph 10).

2. Burin said report failed meet French Government requirements and, suggesting that alternative solutions be considered, requested more details regarding the Netherlands proposal re NATO HICOM. (He had privately indicated intention go slow on this pending outcome Cabinet meeting this afternoon.)

3. Netherlands deputy reviewed proposal [his own] draft (see separate telegram) elaborating organizational context. He suggested this replace paragraph 9 of report and that list of subjects with which NATO HICOM might deal, be annexed.

4. In answer Portuguese query, Netherlands deputy explained that nature of “Council of Ministers” had been left purposely vague. It should be NAC but possibly desirable to form separate council including Germany, perhaps including only those countries contributing to integrated force.

5. UK had not completed internal consideration. Tentative Foreign Office view generally favored concept NATO representative. Suggested however that he should be (1) PolAd to SHAPE on problems relating to national contributions to integrated force, and be political liaison between SHAPE and national authorities; also that he should (2) assist Allied High Commission in supervising fulfillment conditions laid down in MC 30 for raising and controlling German units. After termination of OCC, he should fall heir to residual control powers presently exercised by allied HICOMs. Believed HICOM should have only political functions and avoid housekeeping duties suggested by Netherlands paper.

6. Netherlands deputy felt NATO HICOM should not rival present HICOMs but gradually take over certain functions from them. On one hand there was no objection to extending certain of his functions to cover forces other countries. On other hand broad area seemed exist wherein he could function on matters withheld from German defense agency and outside normal purview allied military authorities. He would not insist on particular functions but felt HICOM should be more than PolAd. Control functions should increase as OCC power controls vanished. Noted French view that political framework should be created which would remain after OCC ended.

7. Chair expressed tentative views in absence final US position. US military would probably wish retain responsibility for training of troops, although possibility existed that common staff colleges and military institutions might later be developed under military authorities. While a task for NATO HICOM might exist in area local German resources and liaison with SHAPE on resources, personnel, and supplies, this was for SHAPE to work out. Control of German defense agency presented basic juridical problems. Any direct NATO control would have either to be worked out by contract with the FedRep or be delegated by the OCC powers. Problems existed also in the relation of NATO HICOM to present allied HICOM, to SHAPE, and to top NATO body. Idea of NATO HICOM offered possible solution, but adequate consideration would take time. US would be prepared to examine this and other possible solutions in detail after integrated force had been established. We could not agree to it without further study. In meantime it was essential to agree now on method for German contribution or report failure. He proposed deputies conclude discussion of German problem at Wednesday meeting. In new [view?] present situation in FE Governments and public opinion could not understand continued bickering. Deputies should obtain final instructions from their governments by Wednesday.

8. Norwegian deputies said Chair in stressing urgency had spoken for all, and suggested agreement be sought Wednesday on broad outlines without spelling out details. Danish and Canadian deputies agreed.

9. French deputies said Netherlands proposal was positive and valuable idea; that powers HICOG and SHAPE should not be encroached, that substance of proposal might be included in paragraph 9, and that approach was legally feasible.

10. Netherlands deputy felt point on both agreements should be sought Wednesday was merely general expression of direction in which NATO should move.

11. Drafting commission will meet tomorrow and deputies will seek decision Wednesday.

12. Question military operating requirements deferred to Wednesday.

Department pass Ottawa. Sent Department priority Depto 271; repeated information Paris priority 1090, for Embassy and OSR, Frankfort priority 524, Brussels 155, Copenhagen 117, The Hague 166, Lisbon 86, Oslo 1010, Ottawa 54, Reykjavik 14, Rome 221, HICOG Frankfort pass Heidelberg for Handy as London’s 98 and Wiesbaden for Cannon as London’s 123. Brussels pass Luxembourg as London’s 43.

[Spofford]

1. Not printed. It transmitted the text of the revised draft report on Germany which had been prepared by the drafting committee on December 2. For the text of the final report of the Deputies, see D–D/196 (Final), December 9, p. 531.