740.5/7–351: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State 1
Depto 14. Dept pouch Ottawa. Deputies 52 mtg July 2.
1. General Ely, new chairman SG, emphasized need for close and continued contact between SG and CD. For this reason he was glad to attend CD mtg and to announce appt of Major General Lindsey (USAF) a liaison officer between SG and CD.
Ely on behalf of SG accepted responsibility for preparation milit section of report for NA council mtg. SG draft will be submitted to CD but Ely emphasized that approval of milit comm wld be necessary. Fr dep asked if report wld cover progress made toward mtg DC–28? Ely replied report will cover first question, SHAPE and MRC are working on gap problem, and DC–28 is subj of current review since it is simply combination of regional planning group studies and possibly sets goals too high.
[Page 213]2. Referring to questions raised in deps earlier discussions with Adm Wright, Ely pointed out: (a) Urgent attention being given to need for combat air-craft but that solution ultimately depends on natl contributions.
(b) Coordination of regional planning group work expected to be finally dealt with at July 10 mtg of chiefs of staff.
(c) Problem of planning for activities after first 90 days of possible war is in second priority to unsolved problems of first and second phase planning.
To UK question, Ely replied that from SG view most important function of deps in next few months will be to bring about creation of a force and this wld include solution of infrastructure problem.
[Here follows the summary of a discussion on how the proposed membership of Greece and Turkey in the North Atlantic Treaty related to military command arrangements in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle East areas. For documentation on this subject, see pages 460 ff.]
5. Next council mtg. Fr expressed doubt that there wld be basis for substantial achievement by Sept. Several deps felt that if council met periodically for exchange of views and renewing contacts problem of expecting important public announcement after every mtg wld not arise. Most Depts seemed to agree with UK view that even if final solution not reached in such questions as West German defense role, Gr-Turk, of infrastructure, gap problem, and possibly an interim report on burden sharing, valuable impetus might be given by council discussion. It was suggested that since established procedure requires mtg preceding General Assembly, this cld be brief formal mtg possibly in Rome, but that real working session be held in Sept in Ottawa or Washington. Deps agreed to ask govts their views on date and place of mtg.
6. Next mtg July 5.
- Repeated to the capitals of the other NATO countries and to Frankfurt, Heidelberg, and Wiesbaden.↩