740.5/3–1051: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
Todep 293. 1. Fol is agreed US position on Canadian reorganization proposal, including concurrence Budget Bureau, as it was concluded in ISAC Mar 9. You are requested to seek agreement to these instructions in substance. If unable to do so you are requested to report situation for further consideration by ISAC. In particular, changes in language with respect to Council shld not be accepted without checking here.
2. With respect to Council following language is desired:
“The North Atlantic Council will represent the respective Govts of the member states. It shall incorporate not only the Council envisaged by Article 9 of the Treaty but also the Defense Committee referred to in the same Article. The Council shall be composed of members of Ministerial rank, although in exceptional circumstances member Governments may be represented by other persons duly designated for the purposes. Heads of Govts may attend meetings of the Council in person. Otherwise, Govts shall be represented by their Minister of Foreign Affairs and/or their Minister of Defense or by other competent Ministers according to the nature of the agenda.”
The agreed minute as contained in Depto 5672 is accepted subject to predeletion of the words “and finance ministers” and of the last sentence.
The language dealing with the Council has been interpreted by Defense Dept3 as follows:
“The intent of the above change to para ‘a’ is that the Council shall be composed basically of Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers. When the nature of the agenda requires the presence of Ministers other than Foreign Affairs and Defense, such Ministers shall enter the discussions of the Council and participate in its decisions. Under these [Page 96] conditions the United States could be represented at the Council by the Secretary of State alone, or the Secretary of Defense alone, or any competent Minister alone when dictated by the agenda, or by any combination thereof.” This interpretation has been generally agreed to.
3. The following language is proposed with respect to role of Deps:
“The Council Deps shall represent all Ministers concerned with North Atlantic Treaty matters between Council sessions on a permanent and continuous basis. When the Council is not in session, the Council Deps shall carry out the policies of the Council, formulate issues requiring decisions by the Council or by member Govts, and otherwise constitute a body which may register the approval of their Govts as obtained on matters before them for consideration. The Council Deps shall deal directly with the Standing Group (Military Committee as presently constituted when that body is in session) on political matters having military implications and shall provide the Standing Group (Military Committee as presently constituted when that body is in session) with the political guidance upon which strategic decisions should be based. The Standing Group shall maintain close liaison with the Council Deps and provide that body advice on military matters. The Deps shall be responsible for coordinating the activities of and giving guidance to all the other permanent organs of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Each Deputy shall be assisted by such advisers as are deemed necessary by his Govt.”
In the latest letter from Defense it is indicated that this language may require revision in your terms of reference. No action will be taken until Council reorganization completed, but when completed wld appreciate your comments on changes you think desirable in light of agreed statement on functions of Deps.
4. Although understand Deps have not completed discussion of military parts of Canadian proposal, it is desired that these be disposed of by action of the Deps. The US position is to reject any proposals by the Canadian Govt or other Govts for reorganizing the MilCom and that at this time no changes be made in the present terms of reference, functions and organization of the MilCom, Standing Group and of the Mil Reps Comite.
5. The DFEC shld be abolished and its functions transferred to the Council. The functions of the PWS of DFEC shld be transferred to a new body to be established which, in view of US, wld be the FEB. It is understood here that language with respect to Council does not determine who shall represent US at Council meetings dealing with financial and economic matters but that that will be decided by interested US agencies, in accordance with the particular circumstances as they may develop.
[Page 97]6. Provisions should be made to have Defense Production Board report to Council Deps as suggested in Canadian proposal.
7. As we understand it, these instructions will permit Deps to take action on all parts of Canadian proposal. If this is not the case, please let us know as it is desired to complete action in Deps on entire proposal at this time.
- Edwin Martin drafted this telegram and cleared it with Colonel Beebe and the Bureau of the Budget.↩
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The minute agreed to by the Council Deputies for incorporation in its records, as transmitted in telegram Depto 567 from London, February 28, not printed, reads as follows:
“Agreed that presence too many Ministers at Council meetings would lead to considerable inconvenience, and governments should, therefore, be urged keep their representation to minimum called for by agenda. Was felt that as general rule it should be possible by careful arrangement of agenda in advance limit occasions on which presence of more than one Minister would be necessary. Deputies would, of course, consult among themselves regard to preparation of agenda, if only insure that as far as possible member governments were represented by similar Ministers at the different meetings. Was recognized, however, that it might be an advantage if from time to time Council meetings were attended jointly by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Finance. Was suggested that in such cases progress of work would be facilitated if Council resolves itself and sub-committees on which different Ministers would sit these sub-committees reporting back to plenary meeting of Council”. (740.5/2–2851)
↩ - In the letter from Lovett to the Secretary of State, March 7, p. 89.↩