740.5/10–1151: Telegram
The United States Delegation on the Temporary Council Committee to the Secretary of State 1
priority
Repsec 29. From USDel TCC. Third meeting of TCC October 11.
1. The chairman called attention to TCC D(51)22 which had just been distributed outlining proposed course of action. He indicated that in carrying on temporary council committee work it was fully intended to use other NATO bodies to the maximum although there had not been time to work out specific uses to be made of them and to include in the document such matters. He also called attention to importance of screening and costing committee operation and to high caliber of General McNarney, who had been made available by US to chair group subject to approval of proposal by TCC. Several members suggested that there had not been adequate time to study document and that they would prefer to postpone action until afternoon meeting. This agreed. After brief exchange of questions and answers, meeting adjourned.
[Page 309]2. Between morning and afternoon meeting agreement was reached by US, UK and Fr with Itals on amendments to executive bureau paper.
3. Afternoon meeting opened by chairman with further discussion SCC program and organization. Indicated would want recruit staff and secure expert help from all TCC members and McNarney if chairman would serve for TCC as international official. This question returned to at several points during meeting with number of members concerned about proposal confining SCC to three and met by replies that every effort wld be made to use experts from all countries, both civilian and military, and that General McNarney at next meeting of committee would be prepared, after survey of problem, to discuss further nature of work and best method of organization.
4. Canadian rep raised objection to standing group “proposing national contributions” on grounds only countries could deal with questions of contributions and Standing Group should confine itself to total requirements. Persuade accept “suggesting” in place of “proposing”. Dutch representative expressed strong endorsement of document; assumed if revisions necessary as result experience of executive bureau TCC would be consulted. Also suggested that as result experience in their work, TCC although temporary might be in position to make suggestions as to permanent improvement NATO organization to deal with similar problems. UK rep called attention to proposals that countries supply certain info and stressed importance such info secured promptly to meet TCC time schedule.
5. Chairman concluded discussion with emphasis on fact not legal document but to be operated in spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation. With minor drafting changes document then approved. (Ten copies text being pouched.) TCC approved in substance telegram for despatch to Standing Group requesting that it be furnished all SG documents bearing on NATO force requirements and forces buildup simultaneously with transmittal to MRC with understanding these will constitute preliminary information for planning purposes and be subject to comments of national staffs through MRC.
6. In course discussion revised terms of reference executive bureau (final text being pouched separate message)3 chairman again stressed importance of establishing relations on basis mutual confidence. It was made clear that all TCC members would receive copies of country submittals in response to executive bureau request, copies of notes on formal executive bureau meetings and such other material as would assist all twelve in preparing themselves to participate intelligently and actively in the final work of appraising national programs. Chairman proposed as personal suggestion that selection [Page 310] of representatives, to sit with executive bureau when programs of executive bureau members under discussion, be Italy, a representative to be selected by Benelux countries and a representative from Scandinavian countries. He referred to fact this proposal approved by Canadian rep and hoped acceptable to Portuguese rep who agreed. Document then approved with minor verbal changes.
7. Agreed issue brief procedural communiqué and that chairman might hold press conference on behalf members at which no substantive information would be released. Text communiqué in separate message.4
8. Today’s discussion characterized by strong concern at degree to which three, through executive bureau and SCC membership, would have complete control of TCC operation. This attitude much softened by revised terms of reference and statements made by three in course afternoon session. Also characterized by strong approval of and minor nature of questions raised about course of action document.
- Repeated to all NATO capitals.↩
- Transmitted to the Department of State in telegram Repsee 27 from Paris, October 10, infra. ↩
- Transmitted to the Department of State in telegram Repsec 30 from Paris, October 12, p. 314.↩
- The text of the communiqué was also included in the telegram cited in footnote 3 above.↩