700.00(S)/4–2750: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1
Infotel. In bilateral discussions with Brit2 in preparation for FonMins meetings Brit official proposed as ultimate objective North Atlantic framework which would embrace US and American Republics, the UK and Commonwealth and “some European entity” and stated that such framework afforded opportunity for French-German cooperation and opportunity for UK to maintain its world position. He also expressed view that new body should be set up within framework of Atlantic Pact to deal primarily with political questions, emphasizing need for divorcing new machinery from military machinery of Pact. He said that one reason for separation was to pave way for possible future association with new political organ of certain countries, mentioning specifically Sweden, Switzerland, western Germany and Austria. Assistant Secy Perkins stated that we had come to conclusion that something needed to be done immed to strengthen Atlantic Pact organization. He indicated that even military side of Pact was not moving as fast as it should and that we felt one of troubles was lack of coordination of military and financial aspects of defense questions. During discussion Brit stated flatly that UK would refuse to “sink its identity” in European union and that Brit concept [Page 72] of North Atlantic community is not one of federation but one of cooperative arrangements.