740.5/11–1451: Telegram

The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
secret
priority

Depto 616. At CD meeting today2 (Todep 330, Nov. 133) UK dep said Gr Amb had called on him and made formal request that Gr Govt be invited send rep to participate in some capacity in Rome council mtg. He then proposed that Gr and Turk Govts be invited send observers to council mtg. Proposal immediately supported by Canad, Fr and Nor deps, Ital dep sure his govt wld not object but wld confirm. Other deps not instructed but agreed consult govts and inform chairman their positions within next few days. (Neth rep stated later today that Neth Govt had no objection to inviting Gr–Turk observers.) CD agreed that after chair heard from all dels he shld consult with chairman, NAC, re further action (i.e., to extend invitation if all agree).

USDep said formal Gr request presented new situation. Previously, US had thought best not extend invitation but to have Gr and Turk Ambs at public session and social functions. Under circumstances, he wld consult US Govt again. Please instruct urgently.

Subsequently CD discussed whether observers, if invited, shld attend only plenary sessions or committee mtgs as well. Consensus was that they shld attend only council plenary sessions.

Spofford
  1. Repeated to Paris for USDel, Ankara, Athens, and Rome.
  2. For Spofford’s report of the proceedings of this 80th meeting of the Council Deputies, see telegram Depto 614 from London, November 14 (740.5/11–1451).
  3. Not printed; it reported the Department of State’s views that the Greek and Turkish Ambassadors in Italy should be invited to the opening public session and to various social functions. The Department did not favor inviting Greek and Turkish observers to the Council meetings (740.5/11–151).