740.5/10–951: Telegram
The United States Delegation on the Temporary Council Committee to the Secretary of State 1
priority
Repsec 21. 1. TCC held first mtg today Oct 9. Spofford opened mtg acting at request of Pearson, chairman of council, welcomed creation of TCC; and offered full cooperation permanent NATO bodies.
2. Canadian rep nominated US rep for chairmanship. Election was unanimous. Belgs nominated Fr and Nors nominated British reps for vice chairmen. Also elected unanimously. Ital rep made reservation, however, to apparent effect that his election wld not prejudice question of composition of exec bureau.
3. US rep took chair and made short statement emphasizing seriousness of threat, but conviction that working together countries had resources necessary to create adequate defenses against that threat and thus perhaps lead to easing of present tensions. Pointed out that present level of industrial production in Europe wld have been thought in 1947 wholly impossible of achievement. Must not let ourselves be discouraged by goals now before us. Described nature of TCC problem.
Chairman announced that briefing had been arranged by General Eisenhower and staff and General Lindsay of SG Wednesday Oct 10 at 10:45 at SHAPE headquarters.2
4. Plowden as UK rep made brief statement expressing appreciation of all members that US president made Mr. Harriman available and expressing belief that the exercise cld not only be of great value in itself, but also from doing of it wld rise greater sense of common purpose and greater ability to work together among NAT countries.
5. Chairman invited Chairman of Deps to nominate candidate for secy of TCC. Sigurd Nielsen of international staff was proposed and accepted. It was understood that further elaboration of Secy’s staff wld only be possible after agreement had been reached on general plan of work to be undertaken. In course of proposal Spofford urged that TCC use NATO coordinating committee as channel for securing assistance from permanent NATO bodies. There was no objection.
6. Chairman circulated proposal (contained in separate msg)3 for establishment exec bureau. Chairman described purpose of proposal to establish small and efficient group which cld organize and discuss on behalf of larger group work program necessary to permit it to reach sound conclusions on basis of adequate data. Indicated clearly [Page 308] exec bureau wld be servant of TCC and wld need help and cooperation all TCC members. Pointed out immediate action desirable with particular reference para 3 so that executive bureau cld get started on report on course of action for submittal to TCC Thursday.
Itals, Belgs and Portuguese requested time for study and asked that discussion be postponed until afternoon meeting. This was agreed.
7. At afternoon meeting emphasis was placed on securing approval for chairman and two vice chairmen not acting as executive bureau, to prepare recommendations with respect to courses of action for submittal at Thursday’s meetings. This was approved. There was brief discussion of what these courses of action shld cover with emphasis by Dutch representative on development of principles of burden-sharing. Portuguese rep stressed importance of member countries functioning as full members of executive bureau when matters of concern to them were under discussion. No other significant comment.
8. It was agreed that press information wld be confined to procedural matters and that no background discussions wld be held on substantial issues, but that chairman might hold press conference at conclusion this series of meetings.