740.5/8–1451: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council ( Spofford) to the Secretary of State 1
Depto 198. Toisa.
1. We have followed with greatest interest development of Eur Manifesto described in Repto 3411 July 162 and Repto 3875 Aug 73 (Paris pls rpt to London Repto 3622 referred to in Repto 3875), We urge that every encouragement be given to development of this statement along optimistic and constructive lines, and share view that it shld be identified to maximum extent possible with Eur leadership in order to have more effective impact upon Eur peoples and in order to give Eur leaders sense of self-confidence and responsibility. Assuming statement turns out as hoped, subsequent endorsement by NATO Council seems highly appropriate and desirable method of linking statement with NATO objectives. Especially in view of impending presentation in NATO of overall costing data [Page 48] and US assessment MTDP gap, believe we must take every opportunity to cultivate buoyant and hopeful Eur attitude toward possibilities of raising Eur productive strength and capacity to sustain defense burdens.
2. One of most important short-term advantages of issuance of such a statement, which emphasizes need for earliest action thereon, is boost which it would give to tone and substance of interim FEB report. If latter were to be developed along lines Roll draft outline, it wld sharply contrast with Eur Manifesto of character we hope for and wld scarcely provide basis for supporting statement by NAC. Furthermore it wld tend to place on NATO onus of defending oppressive rearmament burdens, while authors of Eur Manifesto wld appear as champions of Eur living standards and “normal” civilian economies. Realize that OSR is seeking to steer FEB interim report along lines set forth in Torep 5540 Aug 3 rptd Heidelberg as Ecato 10, and Repto 3787, Aug 2,4 and we will take any opportunities which offer themselves here to lend support to this effort.
3. In this connection, have just reed letter from Van Zeeland dated July 26 (full text by air pouch) reporting ministerial meeting in Paris on July 12 and 13 (see Repto 3411, July 16 rptd Heidelberg Repto 36). He reports that he and many of his associates felt that there shld be “gen examination of econ and fin situation” at next council mtg, believing that while “NATO does not necessarily have to resolve all these problems, it shld attack them and define them and use to maximum existing international organisms such as IMC and OEEC”, Van Zeeland also recommends interim FEB report for next council mtg on “econ, and financial budgetary, and social problems which result from its recent studies” and advocates “permanent and fundamental liaison” between FEB and OEEC, with latter secretariat playing “most active part”. Upon receipt guidance requested in final para Repto 3875, will reply to Van Zeeland seeking to forward objectives outlined above.
- Repeated to Paris and Heidelberg.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 2, Document 16.↩
- Document 16.↩
- Neither printed. For documentation on the Financial and Economic Board of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, see vol. iii, Part 1, pp. 1 ff.↩