Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Western Europe, Volume III

396.1 LO/5–1850: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the President

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London, May 18, 1950—midnight.

Actel 13. Webb to pass to President from Acheson. The fourth North Atlantic Council meeting ended tonight with public statements by all Ministers. In opening meetings Foreign Ministers of each of other signatory powers expressed views with respect to the current world situation, as it affects peaceful purposes for which pact was signed, remarkably similar to those of US Government. We were thus able to proceed to attack specific issues with common point of view and with common appreciation of urgency of getting ahead with task of strengthening, politically, economically and militarily, free world, of which 12 Atlantic Pact Powers form so important a part. Meetings have been characterized by recognition of common objectives, by spirit of urgency in achieving them, and by willingness to negotiate with respect to specific means to be adopted for their achievement in order that work may proceed on basis of agreed decisions with minimum of debate. In addition to taking action on number of routine matters Council has reached agreement on following recommendations to governments, or directives to NAT committees, as was appropriate:

1. It has endorsed request from Defense Financial and Economic Committee to Defense Committee “to prepare detailed estimate of finances entailed in preparation of defense of North Atlantic countries setting forth the priorities therein” and has “recorded the importance it attaches to early completion of this project”. At same time it has recognized that each estimate should not be considered final until the “realistic revision of force requirements which is expected from the current review of defense plans has been completed”.

2. On basis of recommendation from Defense Committee it has urged “governments of NAT to take action to insure progressive build-up, of defense forces” and it has emphasized that in this buildup, with due regard for commitments outside NAT area, countries should concentrate on “creation of balanced collective forces rather than balanced national forces”. It has also in this connection emphasized importance of “constant review of military plans and of force and equipment requirements therefore, in the light of most modern weapons and equipment which are agreed upon as standard and capable of being produced in volume”.

3. It has noted with approval a request from the Defense Committee to the Defense Financial and Economic Committee that the latter “undertake immediately, concurrently with planning by military and production planning agencies, an examination of the financial and economic potentialities of the treaty nations to support military expenditures for the defense of the North Atlantic area”. It has directed the committee in making this examination to “recognize the need to increase, as a matter of urgency, collective military security against the threat of Soviet military aggression”. While recognizing that sound economy is necessary to required defense, Council has pointed out that decisions as to making of additional military expenditures should be made “not only in light of economic and financial conditions but also in light of needs for defense”.

4. Council has recognized importance of self-help and mutual aid, contributions which have been made in this field in past, and recommended “that each party make its full contribution through mutual assistance in all forms to achieve that integrated strength necessary for North Atlantic area”.

5. Council has adopted resolution¹ for strengthening its central organization, in which it agrees that it will undertake as matters of high importance following tasks:

a. Study inter-relationship of various programs to support plans for defense of North Atlantic area and ensure coordination of work of Defense Committee, Defense Financial and Economic Committee, and all other bodies established under North Atlantic treaty organization;

b. Recommend to governments the steps necessary to ensure that effect is given to coordinated plans prepared for defense of North Atlantic area;

c. Exchange views on political matters of common interest within scope of treaty;

d. Promote and coordinate public information in furtherance of objectives of treaty while leaving responsibility for national programs to each country;

e. Consider what further action should be taken under article two of treaty, taking into account work of existing agencies in this field.

6. To assist Council in performing these additional tasks, it has been agreed that each government will appoint a deputy to its Council representative who shall be in position to give whatever time may be necessary to his duties. These deputies shall select permanent chairman from among their membership under whose leadership they shall establish suitable full time organization of “highly qualified persons contributed by member governments”. It has been agreed that this organization should be set up with least possible delay. It has been agreed that deputies will have their headquarters in London where number of NAT committees are located, close to majority of member governments and to ones with most serious problems in increasing their strength.

7. On initiative of the French Government, Council has adopted resolution to guide this strengthened machinery. This resolution sets forth general principles of particular interest to European members of NAT. The substance of the French proposals after redrafting seemed sound to USDel, and after being put in more appropriate form for Council action they have been unanimously accepted. Four general principles are:

• “a. The maintenance by parties to treaty, in accordance with agreed North Atlantic Treaty organization plans, of forces, available for combat operations, adequate to resist initial attack;
• b. Type and composition of forces to resist an initial attack to be adapted to agreed North Atlantic Treaty organization military plans based on exploitation of latest developments and military technology in order to obtain maximum efficiency in collective defense of North Atlantic area.
• c. Standardization to maximum extent practicable and use of most up-to-date material and equipment capable of being produced in volume;
• d. Mutual provision within framework of collective defense of necessary services and material facilities for logistic support of collective military forces.”

In addition resolution lists five issues on which early decisions are required to implement defense plans. The responsible NAT agencies are asked for advice and recommendations as matter of urgency on problems raised by these principles and issues.

8. The Council has adopted without discussion terms of reference for ocean shipping planning board which had been previously negotiated in Washington with full concurrence of representatives of National Resources Security Board, Maritime Commission and Defense Department. This seemed essential since both military operations and maintenance of the civilian economies of NAT powers are heavily dependent upon adequate merchant shipping.

I shall look forward upon my return to an opportunity to supplement this interim report with whatever further details I can provide you.

Acheson

1. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, May 29, 1950, p. 831.