740.5/4–1350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
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1711. Personal for Douglas. Urtel 1999, Apr 13.2 As you will attend Consultative Council mtg W.U. Monday it is likely your presence will deter Council from prejudging matters of equal concern to NATO and which could come up in Council. However, shd Council consider decision adverse to NATO interests you should express US concern. Likewise you should not hesitate express support of Council proposals favorable NATO.
You shd oppose any action giving priority to W.U. over NATO. If necessary you shd point out that premature adoption of position in certain matters at Cabinet levels within framework of W.U. might seriously prejudice development of solution on 12 country basis within NAT and hence go counter NAT’s very concept. This concept is based on balanced collective forces within NATO as whole and would be seriously weakened shd priority be given to balancing national or regional forces. US Govt welcomes all WU efforts enhancing its capacity self defense against aggression but considers that any given amount effort yields greater security within NATO 12 nations rather than WU framework.
In particular you shd oppose any move to freeze financial appropriations for military expenditures at present levels at this time when medium term plan being reviewed by military planners, when cost this plan not known and before NAT DFEC has proceeded further with its study ascertain capabilities support mil expenditures.
You shd oppose any move to divert monies set aside for AMP to other purposes as MDAP approved on basis of request in which WU countries pledged use these sums for productive purposes. By decision Congress US MDAP goes to meet US obligations of mutual aid under NAT and therefore must be allocated support NAT rather than WU and in response to NAT and not WU recommendations. This specially important now when 51 MDAP about to be submitted to Congress. Any premature financial decision at govt level unrelated and prejudicial to NAT planning could not but influence US contribution, financial or otherwise, to common defense.
While we do not want to seem overbearing and do not want to interject ourselves in WU affairs without cause, you shd tactfully indicate our position as outlined above shd proceedings WU Council move along lines unfavorable NATO.