396.1 LO/5–450: Telegram
The United States Delegation at the Tripartite Preparatory Meetings to the Secretary of State
Secto 143. 1. Second part of May 4 tripartite meeting sub-committee A considered directive on defense program from Atlantic Council [Page 909] based on draft resolution (Secto 1071) submitted by British (reference TRI/P/16).2 Revised text as tentatively agreed to reads as follows:
“Draft Resolution by the Atlantic Council.
The Council agrees that in carrying out its tasks as defined in subparagraphs (a) (b) of Council resolution No. blank, it will in particular be guided by the following general considerations:
- (1)
- One of the essential objectives of the nations signatory of the North Atlantic Treaty is to place their countries in a position to be able successfully to resist any aggression. This objective can only be attained by the use and standardization of the most modern material and equipment (resulting from the latest technical achievements). The nature and composition of forces should be adapted to this type of material and equipment.
- (2)
- It is therefore necessary to determine in the shortest possible time the nature and quantity of the material and equipment necessary to achieve this objective.
- (3)
- The production of this material and equipment should
be distributed, so far as military, economic and
financial considerations permit, between the industries
of the participating countries in such a way as to
obtain the best results in the shortest possible time
and at the lowest cost. The production programmes and
orders of member countries should be coordinated and
rationalized from this aspect. The production programmes
thus established should be kept under continuous review,
in order to ensure that the individual efforts of the
different countries in the matter of priorities and
phasing of production make the maximum contribution to
the common needs. At the same time the Council agrees
that urgent consideration should also be given to the
following problems:
- (a)
- How best to achieve balance collective forces, rather than balance national forces for all the North Atlantic Treaty Powers?
- (b)
- How can the financial cost of carrying out the necessary programme for the production of material and equipment be most equitably distributed between the various participating countries (taking into account the necessity of maintaining their economic, financial and social stability?)3
2. Jebb explained Council would not issue directive to Council and therefore British draft in form of resolution to be passed by Council.
3. In course of discussion it was agreed that resolution must not be published.
4. In discussion French were emphatic that nature and composition forces should be adapted to type of material and equipment resulting [Page 910] from latest technical achievements. They argued that the military if left to themselves would plan on basis of last war using manpower rather than modern material as determining factor in program. To meet their points in this connection the clause “and the nature and composition of the forces should be adapted to this type of material and equipment” was added at end of (1). French had also insisted that “modern material and equipment” should be modified by phrase “resulting from the latest technical achievement” although this was left in only in brackets to indicate absence of agreement.
5. It was agreed that the points covered in numbered paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of resolution were principles which should guide Council in its decision whereas problems of (a) balanced forces and (b) financial costs were matters which required further study.
6. In connection with (b) on distribution of cost French requested addition of final phrase “taking into account the necessity of maintaining their economic, financial and social stability,” and phrase was included in brackets. Perkins indicated he wished to give point further consideration.
7. Perkins also took care to reserve US position on entire draft resolution. He pointed out directives arising from Defense Committee and Finance Committee recommendations might make it desirable to modify terms of directive from Council.
8. Is IWG preparing detailed agenda with recommended actions or will they have to be prepared here?