661.00/7–2351: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1
Discussion on Soviet Policy by NATO Deputies
Our Deputy on the North Atlantic Council reports that in a discussion on Soviet policies the Deputies agreed that Soviet policy in western Europe was 1) to neutralize western Germany and undermine [Page 1616] the German Federal Republic with a view to capturing it by the Communist movement; 2) to promote dissension within NATO, especially to split the US from Europe; and 3) to promote economic and political instability through subversion. The Deputies considered the Middle East of particular interest to the Soviets because of its oil and its position astride communications between Europe and Asia and because it is the only Soviet border not protected by a satellite belt. The US, UK, and Canada noted a strategy in the Near East of permitting anti-western sentiment to develop, avoiding direct intervention, but promoting local Communism to take advantage of the loss of US–UK influence. The US Deputy noted three aspects of Soviet policy in the Far East: 1) outright aggression in Malaya, Indochina, and Korea; 2) alternate pressure and friendliness in Thailand, Afghanistan, and India; and 3) consolidation of China. All agreed that it is Soviet policy to neutralize Japan and prevent western military bases there.
- Sent to Belgrade, Helsinki, Stockholm, Trieste, and Vienna.↩