ECA message files, FRC 53A278, Paris: Telegram
The Administrator for Economic Cooperation ( Foster) to the United States Special Representative in Europe ( Katz)1
Torep 5932. Subject—Proposed European Statement. Reference—Repto 3622,2 Repto 3875;3 rptd London Repto 830 and Heidelberg Repto 43.
This is joint State/ECA cable. Torep 5863,4 rptd London Ecato 1160 also concurred by State.
1. First step in campaign referred to in Torep 5863 might be statement by OEEC ministerial Council along general lines tightened Marjolin draft asserting determination through OEEC to evolve programs and introduce policies that would ensure realization of continued econ expansion as well as meeting increased security demands. Ministerial Council statement might be developed along lines of term program e.g. (6 years) to promote security and progress in Western Europe. Should be sufficiently dramatic to serve as rallying point, emphasizing economic progress attained to date and strength developed by Atlantic community on basis mutual efforts. These mutual efforts will be continued in interest making Western Europe a better and safer place to live for all its people.
2. Second step will be issuance of statement by OEEC adopting, justifying and substantiating Minister’s declaration. This statement would contain well documented account of positive elements in post-war European econ trends and potentialities for continued economic expansion over period of time, say six years. If time permits [Page 50] it should contain the specific programs, production targets, etc. The essential function of this document in the campaign would be the provision of an objective and authoritative basis for the adoption of the plan and continuing campaign.
3. The third step might be released by NATO Council Ministers after September meeting reaffirming OEEC and European ministerial statements and endorsing program in context progress of rearmament program, particularly emphasizing extent to which armed strength actually created as well as constructive aspects of North Atlantic Pact. NATO statement might also present basic facts regarding econ capabilities of Western Europe compared to Soviet bloc. Point to larger basic military potential which makes possible mobilization of forces adequate to assure successful defense against any possible aggression without imposing anything like sacrifices required by Communist countries to mount military effort of equivalent magnitude.
4. Ministers might agree at September meeting to make continuing series of individual statements along these lines and to use all information media of their countries to stress constructive and longer term aspects of European and Atlantic cooperative efforts.
5. Cannot over-emphasize importance of campaign remaining essentially European in origin and execution. US would, of course, continue reassert its determination to support efforts of Western Europe to promote security and welfare of their populations. However, if campaign is to impress European population as honest statement of possibilities, there should be no suggestion of US inspiration.
6. Our main criticism of Marjolin draft is that, as now drafted, it falls between two stools and is partly a declaration and partly a specific program. Another principal criticism, of which I am sure you are keenly aware, is the fact that it tends to underplay the impact of the rearmament effort, see for example last sentence, para 4, page 4 which refers to “momentary” difficulties caused by rearmament.
7. Since manifesto may be published during appropriation hearings most important that its optimism should be tied to US aid as well as European potentialities.5
- Drafted by Kaplan and Green of the ECA European Regional Staff and cleared by Martin of EUR/RA, Hopkinson of EPD, and Assistant ECA Administrator for International Security Affairs Halaby. Repeated to London for Spofford.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Document 16.↩
- Sent to Katz from Wood in Washington on August 14. Wood stated that State and ECA concurred in the urgency of formulating a statement along lines indicated in telegrams Repto 3622 and Repto 3875 and that both agencies also endorsed the comments made to Marjolin and Stikker reported in the reference telegrams. Wood then suggested “that a continuing dynamic campaign is required, positive in nature and stressing potentialities of cohesive action and feasibility of attaining constructive common goals. Rearmament and security represent an intermediate step toward ultimate goal of promoting freedom and well-being of Western Europe.” Wood concluded by stating that State and ECA “Endorse suggestion that US observer sit with working group but he should make plain at outset that his participation intended only to demonstrate US support of European program.” (ECA message files, FRC 53A278, Paris)↩
- During the last 2 weeks in August, the OEEC Council of Ministers concentrated upon drafting the European Manifesto, which seems to have been based upon Marjolin’s original memorandum reported in telegram Repto 856, Document 2. Further documentation concerning the drafting and revision of the Manifesto is in the telegram series from Paris for the ECA (Repto) in ECA message files, FRC 53A278, Paris.↩