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

740.5/11–2751: Telegram

The United States Delegation at the Eighth Session of the North Atlantic Council to the Acting Secretary of State ¹

secret

Rome , November 27, 1951—10 p. m.

Secto 93. NAC Chairman Pearson opened fourth meeting, eighth session Tuesday a. m.,² calling for Defense Minister’s report on revised MTDP and comments on agenda items V–VIII. Claxton presented Defense Ministers report (MC 26/1 final plus corrigendum containing views Canadian, Portuguese Ministers³) and draft resolution on defense capabilities sent Dept Secto 83.⁴ Commented on difficulties involved citing necessity gradually adapting national sovereignty towards successful collective action, burden-sharing, and standardization. Following discussion below council approved resolution as amended. (See Secto 91⁵)

In discussion Italian Finance Minister Pella stressed importance early submission TCC report noting only then cld countries take final decisions. Butler (UK) supported Pella on need for awaiting TCC report, citing importance home front economy battle and stressing equity theme of burden-sharing along lines Plowden’s statement at third mtg. Noted physical difficulties, specifically material shortages, which must be overcome and national commitments undertaken outside Europe by certain NATO members in common interest which also must be considered nevertheless NATO task to receive priority. Italian Defense Minister Pacciardi commenting General Gruenther’s presentation stated Italian Govt cld not accept without reservation limited SHAPE calculation of threat to southern sector and stressed fullest preparation must continue in all directions.

Council referred to deputies request by Norwegian Foreign Minister Lange for guidance on info contained statements at third mtg which might be disclosed in interest of education of national Parliaments and public opinion, both in public statements and in confidential discussions with Parliamentary committees. Also referred to deputies Danish Minister Kristensen’s request for comprehensive survey economic and industrial resources of NATO group and relation to those of Soviet bloc and for study of nature of political thinking and Kremlin and estimate of Soviet intentions.

Under agenda item IX Pearson called for Schuman’s report on EDC conference⁶ and Acheson’s report on contractual arrangements. Schuman reviewed background of conference and cited degree of agreement reached on basic integration principles. Stated level of integration wld be army corps with its supporting corps elements. Basic air unit one half wing, approx 75 planes, under tactical Air Command. Stressed that lasting solution German problem cld only be found in integration Germany with European community and necessity of collaboration EDC with NATO, stating use of European army forces wld be entrusted from outset to SHAPE.

Commenting on Schuman’s statement, Stikker urged that EDC include all free countries of Western Europe, specifically UK and Scandinavian countries. Also said many questions not solved or discussed thoroughly Paris including financial support of EDC, nature of EDC defense authority and role of proposed Council Ministers. Van Zeeland noted exchange of views on EDC had been on technical level and technical differences must give way to political principles. Urged earliest consideration by Ministers. De Gasperi noted that since task of common defense extremely urgent, temporary compromise formulations required, but stressed must be only temporary and be considered preparation for substantial unification Western European countries.

Secretary’s report on discussions of contractual arrangements,⁷ including Nov 22 mtg of US-UK-French Foreign Ministers with Adenauer, cited progress toward conclusion overall agreement on general relations and subsidiary agreements on transfer of responsibility of occupying powers to Fed Rep, status of foreign forces in Germany, logistical and financial support of German contribution to western defense and security safeguards. Expressed hope contractual arrangements wld be completed by end of Dec and urged completion EDC by same date so both cld be considered by next NAC session. Tabled US draft resolution on EDC recommending early attention to problem of correlating EDC–NATO obligations and organizational relations and consultation by chairman Council Deputies and chairman EDC conference to insure NATO views on relation of EDC to NATO be reflected in proposed EDC treaty, and urging that EDC report be given council at next session for consideration.

US draft resolution referred to afternoon mtg of CD together with one indicated as forthcoming from the Benelux dels in attempt arrive at agreed EDC resolution to be presented council mtg 10 a. m. Wednesday. Deputies also directed consider Stikker suggestion council meet in next session with limited number advisers.

Acheson

1. Repeated to London, Paris, Brussels, The Hague, Copenhagen, Oslo, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Ottawa, Athens, Ankara, and Luxembourg.
2. The fourth meeting, held on Tuesday, November 27, began at 11:00 a. m.
3. MC–26/1 Final, “Revised Medium Term Force Requirements and Recommended National Contributions,” and its corrigendum, as well as a covering note by the Defense Ministers, were circulated as Council Document C8–D/7. A draft resolution on “Increased Defense Capabilities,” which was recommended to the Defense Ministers by the U.S. Delegation, was also presented by Claxton and circulated as C8–D/7 Final.

4. Not printed; it transmitted the text of the draft resolution which concluded: “… [the] Council

   (1) Takes note of action MC and requests that TCC in preparation of its final report should give consideration, insofar as mil part of its work is concerned, to revised MTDP (MC 26/1) as agreed by MC.

   (2) Directs that upon issuance of TCC report, MC, in light of recommendations set forth in such report and evaluation of current intelligence on Sov bloc, submit its comments of report to Council sufficiently prior to next meeting permit action by govts at such meeting.

   (3) Requests that member nations meanwhile take cognizance of immed necessity of proceeding on 1952 portion of plan as immed step in securing finally approved mil objectives and that this be done in light of (a) recommended priorities of NATO commands and agencies; (b) over-all training requirements; and (c) need for provision of long-lead time requirements.

   (4) Directs all NATO commands and agencies, after consultation with countries concerned, to bring about greatest feasible defense combat capability of NATO forces in 1952 and progressively thereafter towards agreed security objectives.” (740.5/11–2651)

5. Not printed; it reported that the draft resolution on “Increased Defense Capabilities” was approved with two minor changes in wording (740.5/11–2751).
6. For Schuman’s report, which was circulated as Council Document C8–D/5, see pp. 933 ff.
7. Secretary Acheson’s report is contained in Rome D–8/5a, a document prepared by the Department of State and dated November 26, 1951. A copy of this report is in the Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 98.