740.5/9–2551
The Secretary of State to the President 1
Memorandum for the President
Subject: Appointment of Mr. Harriman as Committee Representative2
As I reported to you in my summary telegram of September 19 from Ottawa,3 the North Atlantic Council has agreed to appoint a temporary committee of twelve representatives of Cabinet rank to survey the basic security needs of the NATO countries. The committee will make a synthesis of the pressing military, political, and economic problems now facing the NATO countries and report its findings by December 1, 1951. As you are aware, it is of the utmost importance that a solution be found to the problems assigned to this committee.
In my telegram, I expressed the hope that Mr. Harriman would be designated as United States Representative. I suggested his name because I believe it imperative that the United States be represented [Page 289] on the committee by an official of wide experience, great ability, and sufficient stature to command the full respect of both the American people and the representatives of other Governments. I, therefore, recommend that you approve the appointment of Mr. Harriman as United States Representative on the committee.
- Drafted by Russell Fessenden of the Office of European Regional Affairs.↩
- In the covering memorandum attached to the source text it was noted that the Secretary of State had already discussed this subject with President Truman on September 24 and that the President had agreed to Harriman’s appointment; this memorandum formalized the oral agreement. The statement to the press concerning Harriman’s appointment, which was issued on September 26, is printed in the Department of State Bulletin, October 8, 1951, p. 572.↩
- This is a reference to telegram Secto 23 from Ottawa, September 19, p. 677.↩