396.1 LO/5–1550: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
Secto 269. First meeting, fourth session North Atlantic Council (verbatims will be pouched soonest1) opened at Lancaster House this morning with Bevin welcoming North Atlantic Treaty Foreign Ministers to London. Acheson, US (chairman) responded, noted big workload ahead and suggested Council move along rapidly.
Following press policy agreed, Council to hold public session on Thursday 5:30 p. m. with each Foreign Minister speaking briefly, this to be followed by press conference at which chairman will speak in behalf Ministers, with Ministers in attendance answering questions. Agreed that Secretary General2 would have drafting group produce each day at close of business proposed communiqué for consideration Ministers. Agreed that in press relations each Minister or delegate briefing national press would not go outside limits established by communiqué.
Item 1. Proposed agenda adopted by Council.
Item 2. Minutes of third session3 approved.
Item 3. Acheson, (following Norwegian and Canadian suggestions that chairman followed by French and UK Foreign Ministers lead off) said that factors which most profoundly affected the security of the nations represented had developed since last war. At end of war all nations had hoped for unity between powers. That this was not case became clear in 1944 and 1945. Following that USSR engaged in all-out effort in 1947, 1948 and 1949 in building military strength, which strength with all its implications adversely affected Western Powers, while at same time Communist forces in Orient stirred up trouble. Soon became apparent that West required greater military effort, greater economic effort to support military, and greater coordination these from political level. It followed that there was need for concert of policies politically.
It was of utmost importance that in presenting policies of West it be made perfectly clear that they were for defense, for protection [Page 101] of Western cultural institutions, way of life, and never for aggression. Must always speak with confidence re expanding economy and intrinsic strength, this note of confidence justified because although there had been difficulties in the East, West had gone forward. Present effort must be concentrated on strengthening West which is heart of strength and must be directed toward economy and greater industrial production. Hence can only contemplate holding operation in East at this time.
Schuman observed that re military effort there had appeared no new element which would justify relaxation. Berlin tension somewhat lessened while Soviet efforts in East stronger. Could expect pattern of variations and pressure from one area to another with essential force behind never laxing.
French well suited to discuss present situation because for four years has been combating subversive influences in Indo-China, recently heightened by overt Chinese Communist pressure. Clear that main effort must be concerted on Atlantic community level, without giving way in other areas. Western Powers must not be too pleased over accomplishments in organization. Already, reports from defense bodies called attention to need for additional governmental exertion (Schuman would have more to say on this when time came for him to state French position).
In present struggle not only military efforts to consider but psychological factor of utmost importance. Doubt and anxiety existed in all European countries and in other countries about world situation and this factor must be recognized. Need was for calm assurance and confidence while pressing forward in economic and cultural efforts as envisaged under Article 2 NAT, in strengthening Atlantic community. In this connection important not to exclude other nations outside NAT whose contributions to Western civilization were also part of effort to strengthen West.
In summary, lest he be misunderstood, efforts toward strengthening Atlantic security must be emphasized; however, psychological factors must be remembered.
Bevin, UK, spoke with simple eloquence re common ground on which all nations represented stood, with no one country being in position accept responsibility of defending itself or others against obvious threat to Western civilization. Stupendous tasks ahead which must be faced could not be met by preconceived notions, particularly in military field. Although progress had been made it was not enough. Need now was for coordinated Atlantic force in true sense which must be efficient, must have right type of mind in its handling, must have strength, organization and required financial efforts of all to [Page 102] make the necessary military efforts. Central theme was need to find proper economic solution for supporting military efforts. This most difficult because barriers apparent on every hand. Must be remembered that in past all nations represented had done best to destroy one another and consequently had sewn seeds of suspicion and prejudice which were difficult to overcome but which must be overcome if solidarity and basis for protecting Western civilization to be maintained. These prejudices apparent on every hand, e.g., Germany, and each nation in dealing with one another.
Bevin heartened by broad general view taken by US and Canada re economic problems. Disliked hearing these problems called European economic problems because they were reciprocal, affecting all nations, and were problems of Western hemisphere as well as Europe. Progress had been made with dealing with these in the last few years but much more remained to be done.
There were principles which West should adopt—must resolutely make up minds that the aggression which has been faced in last five years must be halted by firm, stubborn resistance of the nations represented. This meant closer study of each and every manner in which this aggression manifested itself. Communist devices caused outbreaks first one place then another [garbled group] were sources of constant irritation to democratic nations while at same time subversive efforts within nations themselves posed threats. West must determine how to meet that threat in methods it employed.
Conditions which have favored spread of Communism must be rectified with greater economic development expanding industry with attendant well-being and higher standard of living.
The benefits which would flow from these efforts would inspire greater respect for and faith in Western civilization.
Bevin had been encouraged by accomplishments of OEEC which had done good work and had assembled important information which heretofore governments had never given to each other. With little more study and little more rationalization greater benefits and greater strength would result.
Bevin noted that in past, seafaring nations had contemplated oceans as defensive rather than means of unity. However, now the very term Atlantic Community could be symbol of united West. That USSR, if faced with this firm, resolute organization, would not embark on overt aggression he had no doubt, and in building such resolution efforts of all free nations must be assembled. In past, certain nations had endeavored stay out and remain aloof from conflicts. Question now was above this and was whether Western civilization worth fighting [Page 103] for. If so, necessary effort must be made by all enjoying its benefits and adequate insurance taken out.
Present serious problems such as German question, division of world, etc., which constantly faced nations needed continuous study in frame work of adequate organization. In looking forward progress to be made, possible efforts under Article 2 of Treaty, organizing the defense and necessary economic wagers to support it might move slower than hoped. Reason for this was that there had been created new concept, new binding forces, which took small nations and made them equals of large nations and welded all into common effort. It was not old concept of alliance but new one of common defense. It would take while for it to catch on. Hoped that present meeting could result in declaration of faith, principles and aims for all free peoples. Must set goal for them to see and work for in helping mankind and preserving liberties of free world.
- The verbatim minutes, R–4./1(V)–6(V), of the six meetings ending on the afternoon of May 18 are in the NATO Sub-Registry located in the Department of State, together with summary records of the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth meetings.↩
- Secretary-General of the May Foreign Ministers Meetings and NATO Council Meetings, Charles A. E. Shuckburgh, Head of the Western Organizations; Department of the British Foreign Office.↩
- The summary minutes of the third session of the NATO Council, held in Washington on January 6, were circulated in the Council on May 15th as Council Record R–4/1. A copy is in the Department of State NATO Sub-Registry. See editorial note, January 6, p. 5.↩