Military cable files, lot 52–246, TCC, 1951: Telegram
The Chairman of the Temporary Council Committee (Harriman) to the Acting Administrator for Economic Cooperation (Bissell)
Repto 5286. Personal from Harriman. Army pass Defense for Lovett. For Acheson, Lovett, Snyder, Wilson, Lawton and Bissell eyes only. I can understand that there are some major questions of principle raised for US by TCC questionnaires.1 In resolving these questions I am sure you will have in mind that US leadership in NATO is essential for the attainment of security for the North Atlantic Area, so vital to our own, and in fact for the success of General Eisenhower’s mission. The possibility of obtaining effective results from TCC will depend directly upon whether we give adequate information, not only because of the value of the information per se, but in order to set a pace for real effort from other countries. I realize that since we are in a different position from other countries, our answers in some cases cannot be as full as we expect and need from others. It is accepted, because of the nature of TCC, that the info submitted consists of [Page 327] estimates to which no country can be committed. TCC will in my opinion fail if we adopt the role of Inspector General, rather than one of a participant in a common undertaking.
- This is a reference to a detailed questionnaire which was sent by the TCC to all member countries in NATO requesting that information about their military and economic capabilities be given to the TCC by October 25. The circular telegram TCC–3 of October 15, not printed, is in the Military cable files, lot 52–246, TCC, 1951.↩