Office of the Historian

740.5/12–1550: Telegram

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

top secret
priority
London, December 15, 1950—4 p. m.

Depto 345. Deputies 44th meeting.

1.
Chairman opened meeting with general statement on possible Soviet reactions to agreement on Germany based on Deptel 30261 Measures listed (in order of increasing probability) ranging from highly improbable to practically certain were overt military action, actions of threatening nature such as troop movements, denunciation of treaty limitations on satellite rearmament, disruptive action in West Europe such as strikes, accusations in UN, overt militarization of East Germany, violence or new blockade in Berlin, denunciation of Franco-Soviet and Anglo-Soviet treaties, attempts to influence West Germany against rearmament, condemnatory official public statements, official note of protest, or intensified propaganda barrage. Stated, in summary, agreement on Germany represented no change yet in relative power position and had already been discounted in Moscow. Soviet reaction would probably follow present tactical pattern with sharper propaganda offensive designed both to appeal to and to frighten fearful.
 
The deputies showed keen interest and inquired whether this subject and possible West counter-measures would be discussed in Brussels. Chairman indicated Secretary would probably discuss possible Soviet moves but unable to say how far it would be possible to discuss counter-measures.
2.
Opposition to preparation of report for Council overcome and agreed report should be made including concluding section on inadequacy of present efforts.
3.
Chairman indicated it would be inadvisable publicly to announce recess of deputies talks until after first of year. It was agreed public would be informed deputies recessed briefly subject to call. Informally understood next meeting about January 4.

Sent Department Depto 345, repeated information priority Paris 1174 for Embassy and OSR, Brussels 178, pass Luxembourg 48, Copenhagen 132, The Hague 191, Lisbon 96, Oslo 115, Ottawa 62, Rome 238, [Page 576] priority Frankfort 642 pass Heidelberg 116 for Handy and Wiesbaden 549 for Cannon.

[Spofford]
  1. Not printed.↩