Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

740.5/2–2652: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Bonn ¹

secret
niact

Lisbon, February 26, 1952—3 p.m.

22.1. Fol is text of draft reply to Chancellor from FonMins: The Foreign Ministers of the US, UK and France have received the Federal Chancellor’s communication.² They have noted with satisfaction the willingness of the Federal Govt to make a defense contribution in an amount which is based on the recommendation of the members of the executive bureau of the temporary council committee which was for DM 11.25 billion for the financial year 1952/53 beginning July 1, and which would be comparable with the contributions of the principle member countries of NATO. They have taken note that payments will be made on a monthly average of DM 850 million from the entry into force of the contractual arrangements and the treaty establishing the EDC and will be used exclusively for the Federal Republic’s contribution to EDC and the support of allied forces in the Federal Republic.

The FonMins confirm the Federal Govt’s understanding of the procedure which they contemplate to be followed in future years in determining the total German contribution to defense. As they pointed out in the discussions at London, the agreement of the other interested countries to this procedure will, no doubt, have to be obtained.

The FonMins understand that provisions regarding all these matters will be included in the appropriate convention to be annexed to the general agreement.

The FonMins have requested the allied authorities in Germany to take the necessary steps to keep expenditures for occupation costs, during the period prior to the entry into force of the general agreement and the treaty establishing the European Defense Community, to the minimum. However, the amount of these expenditures cannot be determined at this time. They must also point out that there can be no link between the amount of occupation costs paid during that period and the Federal Republic’s contribution to defense after the entry into force of contractual arrangements.

The FonMins have taken note of the Federal Govt’s statement regarding the possibility of its being obliged to appeal for financial assistance to carry out its defense obligations. The three powers are making a maximum effort in the interest of western defense. On the assumption that the Federal Republic was making a like contribution to defense out of its own resources, a request for aid from it would receive the same consideration as that of other countries participating in the common effort.³

Acheson

1. This telegram was repeated for information to Washington as Secto 84 (the source text) and also to Paris and London. Regarding the circumstances attending the preparation and transmission of this message, see footnote 1, p. 258.
2. Not printed.
3. The proposed text reported here was subsequently sent to Chancellor Adenauer together with an explanatory footnote. Regarding the final approval by the Allied High Commissioners of the text and the text of the footnote, see telegram 1747, Feb. 28, from Bonn, p. 264.