Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

740.5/12–751: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford), at London¹

secret
priority

Washington, December 10, 1951—6:45 p. m.

Todep 402. Confirming phone call to Elbrick, Dept intended by last substantive para Todep 395 (rptd Paris 3364, Athens 2711, Ankara 483)² that Gr-Turk Govts wld send to London civil servants who wld later work on NATO matters in their respective capitals. It was not intended that these reps shld attend mtgs of CD or any other NATO body but shld merely work with internatl staff who wld familiarize them with NATO problems and procedures so that after admission to NATO, two Govts cld handle NATO matters as smoothly and competently as possible. In talking with Gr Emb here, we merely said we wld look into problem of how to assist Gr to acquire NATO background soonest and made no commitments. Therefore, they cannot be anticipating type of assoc which was assumed Depto 692.³ We have not contacted Turk Emb. Hope it will not be difficult correct any misapprehension which may have developed London. Gr-Turk reps wld, of course, have to be cleared to see NATO docs as indicated ref para of Todep 395.⁴

Webb

1. Message drafted by Parsons of RA, cleared by Moore of GTI. Repeated to Paris for USDel, TCC, and MacArthur.
2. See footnote 2, p. 609.
3. Dated December 7, p. 609.
4. After a further exchange of telegrams between Spofford and the Department of State (Depto 700, December 12; Todep 409, December 14) clarifying the Department’s position that Greek and Turkish representatives might be permitted to observe and learn NATO procedures but not participate in any NATO body before admission, Spofford reported on December 19 in telegram Depto 732 that he had raised the question of inviting Greek and Turkish representatives to London in the Council Deputies where he encountered no opposition. “Chairman invited deps to notify secretariat of their govt’s views at earliest date in order that necessary arrangements can be made without delay.” Spofford promised to inform the Department when such clearance was received. (740.5/12–1251, 740.5/12–1451, 740.5/12–1951)