740.5/5–2450
Memorandum by the Acting Officer in Charge of Political-Military Affairs, Office of European Regional Affairs ( Knight ) and the Deputy Director of that Office ( MacArthur ) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs ( Thompson )
In the course of a visit at The Pentagon yesterday it was quite obvious that the Department of Defense is concerned about the new NAT central machinery, particularly the possibility that the civilian side of the Treaty Organization may gain undue control over the military planning side.
Apprehension was expressed lest military subjects might be introduced into the Deputies group. Similarly, the hope was voiced that prior to discussion by the Deputies, subjects would be screened to see that from the military viewpoint they were appropriate for discussion by them.
Likewise, it was very informally mentioned that the U.S. Deputy might have a U.S. Military Adviser at his side.
This raises a number of questions, including the possible desirability of obtaining White House approval of our organizational plans for the new central machinery. Unless some such top-level clearance is given there may be serious complications.