740.5/10–1251: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford), at London1
Todep 246. Re Depto 447 rpt Paris 695.2 In view TCC exercise in which inflation one of many problems being considered, and in view of desirability of affording Eur countries minimum excuses to cloak [Page 321] disinclinations toward greater def efforts, we are inclined here to doubt usefulness of discussion problem inflation at ministerial level at Rome mtg. Even if inflation is not agenda item we can expect considerable reference to problem in context country positions re magnitude efforts. As fear inflation already haunts Europeans we believe U.S. need not highlight question and that general discussion in NAC purely on this aspect of defense problem might give undue weight to this limiting factor. We believe TCC appropriate forum where inflation will continue to be considered as one of obvious key elements in arriving at NAT program acceptable from political and economic as well as military view points. Also should be noted U.S. position on inflation being prepared for presentation at Gen Assembly UN. Background material will be available for TCC and at hand for Rome mtg if needed.
- Drafted by Robert H. Kranich of the Office of European Regional Affairs and cleared with Ernst of Defense, Paul of ECA, Knight of HA, Schelling of the Executive Office of the President, Camp of RA, Barger of E, and Beale of BNA.; repeated to Paris for USDel TCC.↩
- Not printed; it requested the Department of State’s position on whether or not the problem of inflation should be discussed at the Eighth Session of the North Atlantic Council which was to be held in Rome in November (740.5/10–1251).↩