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

740.5/4–2553: Telegram

The United States Delegation at the North Atlantic Council Meeting to the Department of State ¹

secret
priority

Paris, April 25, 1953—8 p.m.

Secto 16. Cotel. Subject: Round-up last session of NAT ministerial meeting.²

1. Fifth and last session morning April 25 commenced with Item VIII, principles governing future ministerial meetings (CM (53) 37³).

Ismay noted permanent representatives desire to avoid rigid procedure and general agreement to at least two meetings a year. Pleven and Butler expressed agreement, and French supported by Norway, proposed April and October as desirable schedule. Council agreed and Ismay noted emergency meetings could be called at any time. He also reminded council of time factor in AR resolution,⁴ and fact three months should be available between date last country reply received and meeting begins.

2. Under other business Bidault called council’s attention to fact status of forces agreement still only ratified by three countries, adding only Belgium and Norway had ratified since December meeting. He stressed practical and moral importance of ratification. Ismay noted Canada and UK had completed parliamentary procedure, but not ratified as yet; other countries, he understood, were close to ratifying. Ismay asked that attention of all governments which had not yet ratified be called to French Foreign Minister’s statement.

3. Secretary Dulles commended permanent representatives on their preparatory work for ministerial meeting and expressed hope permanent council would assume even greater stature, and that Ministers would recognize their capacity for leadership and give them full support. He also commended Ismay, Van Vredenburch and international staff particularly on AR and infrastructure negotiations. He underlined these accomplishments demonstrate wisdom of Lisbon decision to establish an international staff under a Secretary General. France and UK associated selves with Dulles’ statement. Ismay made appropriate response.

4. Council agreed to have Ismay send message to Eden expressing Ministers’ wishes for his quick recovery.⁵

5. More than an hour was devoted to editing the French and English texts of the communiqué and it was decided to release it to the press 4 p.m. April 25.⁶

6. Ockrent (Belgium), chairman of ad hoc committee, reported orally that agreement had been reached between EDC countries and Federal Republic concerning financial contribution by German Federal Republic for defense between date of entry into force of EDC treaty and June 30, 1954. This agreement covers both total Federal Republic financial contribution to EDC budget and support costs for Allied troops stationed in Germany. Agreement was reached on a total figure of DM 950 million per month and of that sum for support costs, DM 400 million for first six months, DM 300 million next two months, and DM 200 million for subsequent month based on assumption treaty would enter into force October 1, 1953. Should that occur before October 1, further negotiations will take place on the support costs in same manner as provided in finance agreement. Use of these common budget funds by various EDC countries is still under negotiation. Committee recognizes German Federal Republic right to propose to EDC, United States and UK that agreement be reviewed if these costs hinder build-up of German contingents. UK, France, United States and Italy congratulated ad hoc committee and Ockrent on fine job.

Draft communiqué⁷ was circulated on this subject and approved by council for release (for text see Secto 14⁸). Full text ad hoc committee’s written report being transmitted to Washington, London and EDC capitals in Polto series.⁹

1. Repeated to all NATO capitals and to Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, and Bonn.
2. The fifth and final session was held at the Palais de Chaillot at 11:30 a.m. Apr. 25. Copies of the summary (C–R(53)24) and verbatim (C–VR(53)24) records of this session are in the Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CFs 148 and 149.
3. Not found in Department of State files.
4. Under reference here is C–M (53) 48 Final which had been adopted at the fourth session of the Council on Apr. 24; a copy of this resolution is in the Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 146.
5. Foreign Secretary Eden was recovering from an operation.
6. For the text of the final communiqué, see Department of State Bulletin, May 11, 1953, pp. 673–674 or AFP, vol. i, pp. 1631–1633.
7. The draft communiqué under reference has not been found in Department of State files. A copy of the final EDC communiqué is in the Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 147 or see Department of State Bulletin, May 11, 1953, pp. 674–675.
8. Not printed.
9. Under reference here is C–M (53) 52, which was transmitted to Washington in Polto 2123, Dec. 25 (762A.5/4–2553).