740.5/10–3151: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
Depto 537. Deputies 76th mtg Oct 30.
1. Field Marshal Slim outlined recent mtg of SG in Paris and subsequent mil discussions in Ankara and Athens. He pointed out Paris decisions based on assumption of Turkey’s full and equal obligation as NATO member; that defense of ME essential to protection of European flank; and that large Turkish contribution to forces of ME Command essential.2 …
[Page 603]Slim said Athens discussions were entirely mil in tone. Greeks noted importance their position as base for Balkan operations and their isolated position and hoped Yugoslavia cld be brought closer to West. Greeks thought if this possible it wld be logical for Greece to be under Eisenhower command. He reported strong effort to counteract Greek and Turkish presumption that NATO membership wld lead to greater mil aid.
With this he contrasted Ankara discussions which were entirely polit in tone, with emphasis throughout on importance to Turkey internally of being accepted as European. He reported strong Turkish desire, for this reason, to be under Eisenhower and added that Turks agree to participate fully in MEC.
Slim concluded with statement that info gained in purely exploratory discussions now being used in preparation of further studies in Washington (in which Greece and Turkish mil reps invited to participate) which he expected wld result in list of proposals for NAC action in order of their mil desirability.
US asked if Greece and Turkey had suggested they attend Rome mtg as observers. Slim replied question not raised but Greece and Turkey welcome opportunity to join Washington mil discussions. Personally he questioned desirability their presence Rome.3
Denmark asked what was basis of press report that ME Command question cld only be solved by NAC. Slim said since this is NATO command, ultimate authority must of course be derived from NAC. Belgium asked if all variant plans assumed MEC wld be a NATO command. Slim said yes. Belgium wished to be sure NATO wld have control in action and policy in any ME Command.
Replying to Belgian and Netherlands questions, Slim outlined contemplated mil structure with SG wearing two hats, present NATO commands and ME Command subordinate, latter having separate MEC of reps of Turkey and non-NATO countries interested in ME. Netherlands expressed concern about ability of such complex structure to function and asked if Turkey had continued to insist on being under Eisenhower or if they had proposed alternative plans. Slim said Turkey had never insisted but this was their strong wish and that alternatives had not been discussed in Ankara.
Slim said Turks willing to discuss all aspects but wld not take any action such as actual establishment of MEC before they were full NATO members. Netherlands was less concerned about war when structure wld depend on actual situation than about peacetime relationships. Netherlands thought more feasible a NATO command over Turkey and a separate ME Command with appropriate staff links between the two. Slim pointed out that without Turkey MEC wld be skeleton.
[Page 604]To Canadian questions, Slim said Greece cld be under either SHAPE or MEC but that Aegean and Turkey must be part of ME Command.
Netherlands asked if Greece had suggested how Yugoslavia cld be brought into relation with West. Slim said no, but that Greek-mil were thinking Yugoslavia shld be brought into NATO.
Slim’s discussion was full, frank, and well reed.
[Here follow a summary of the remainder of the 76th meeting of the Deputies which dealt with NATO and Soviet bloc military and political capabilities and discussion of the date of the Rome meeting of the NAC]
- Repeated to all NAT capitals, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Ankara, and Athens.↩
- In a joint telegram to London and Paris (Todep 282 and 2543 to Paris) dated October 30, Acting Secretary of State Webb reported the Department’s belief that Turkey would “steadfastly” adhere to the position outlined in telegram 396 from Ankara of October 26 that Turkey “as integral part of Eur standing as entity against Russia, shld fall under SACEUR (Eisenhower Command) and that Turk aspirations re direct relationship to a NATO Command must be satisfied (and formalities of accession to NAT completed) before Turks will formally participate in MEC.” (740.5/10–3051)↩
- Reference is to the Eighth Session of the North Atlantic Council which met at Rome November 24–28. For documentation, see pp. 693 ff.↩