611.52/3–1651
Memorandum by the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Matthews) to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Burns)1
Dear General Burns: You will recall the reactions of the British and French Governments to the recent United States decisions regarding Spain contained in the Memoranda of Conversation sent to you by Mr. Bonbright on February 20 and 21, 1951 and most recently by Mr. Perkins,2 as well as in telegrams from London and Paris.
In light of the problem created by the British and French attitudes, I would appreciate receiving your Department’s views as to the desirability and usefulness of initiating exploratory discussions with representatives of the British and French military regarding the relation of Spain to the defense of Western Europe. Such conversations, which might include an exchange of views regarding the strategic value of Spain and Spain’s potential role in the joint defense, should increase understanding of the United States position.
If you consider that military talks would be advisable I would be glad to receive your recommendations as to the appropriate channels. Our two Departments could then agree jointly as to the date, nature and content of the proposed discussions.3
Sincerely yours,
- Drafted by Millar and cleared with Bonbright, Perkins, and Knight.↩
- Throughout 1951, General Burns was kept informed of the conversations between the Department of State and the British and French Embassies regarding the question of Spanish participation in the Western European defense establishment.↩
- Burns replied on March 23 that, since the Secretary of Defense had asked the JCS for recommendations on implementing NSC 72/4, he believed further consideration of the question should be deferred pending their reply. (Department of Defense files)↩