740.5/2–2151: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford), at London1
Todep 284. For Spofford. Dept interested ur reference in Depto 540 Feb 212 to Wilgress’ view that key to NATO reorg problem was a better working relationship between Standing Group and Mil Reps. We wld be interested in amplification and comments on Wilgress’ statement in view extreme importance placed by Def on preservation present setup from Mil Comite level on down.
Def fundamentally opposed to any reorg proposal which wld place in permanent session the Mil Comite at Dep Chief of Staff level and hence retard Standing Group’s day-to-day work by reducing it to small nation level. Def is positive and State generally concurs any such solution wld render impossible the operation of Standing Group as a kind of 3-nation CCS with command responsibilities over SHAPE and other NATO Supreme Hdqs.
Rep Can Emb told us informally and with specific request he not be quoted he was confident his Govt wld be satisfied to forego now reorg of Mil Comite and lower echelons and give fair trial to results Brussels action in setting up Mil Reps Comite and to current attempts to foster closer assoc Mil Reps with Standing Group work.
As Wilgress’ viewpoint cld be interpreted as at variance with above informal local Can views, ur further comments wld be of value.