940.53/3–954
The United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council (Hughes) to the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Merchant)
Dear Livie: I am very much disturbed about developments in connection with the US reservation with respect to the commitment of merchant vessels to the PBOS–DSA pool. Knowing that you share my concern and that you have been good enough to follow the matter personally, I am taking this subject up with you again.
My latest information is that the Defense Department has come up with a figure of … “notional ships” in response to the Fleming request for an estimate of the number of vessels it would be necessary to keep out of the pool, in order to meet the Defense Department’s requirements. I am sure you agree with me that this is most unsatisfactory and that a US position based on such a figure would probably lead, not only to the dissolution of the shipping pool, but also to a loss of confidence in US–NATO commitments, which would be most unfortunate, particularly at this time. I understand that you propose to discuss this with Frank Nash,1 and in all probability you may have already done so. Since, however, Frank has resigned, it will doubtless be necessary to have further conversation with others, and I don’t want you or anyone else in Washington to think that our silence on this matter during the last number of weeks has meant any reduction in the importance of a satisfactory solution of this issue.
This matter has not been mentioned in the Council lately. I am sure, however, that this is because our NATO partners are hoping that, given a chance for a careful calm assessment of the problem, without pressure from them, the US will find a solution all can accept. Basically, I am quite certain that the feelings of the Council are just as strong as those outlined by me in my cable sent November 19, Polto 856,2 and my further cable of December 3, Polto 957.3 To repeat, I do not recall a single issue which seems to have aroused more widespread anxiety on the part of my colleagues than has been exhibited as a result of the US position on this matter. Although dormant, the anxiety is genuine, for reasons which have previously been expressed. It will, I fear, be reflected in [Page 427] a serious disintegration of NATO morale, if there is no change in the US position as last reported to us.
When we received Topol 679, dated December 12,4 addressed to the attention of Merchant and Moore,5 I was hopeful that by March 1 the US would come up with some solution which would prove generally acceptable. Such information as we have received indicates that that is far from being the case.
Sincerely,