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

740.5/6–2453: Telegram

The United States Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Hughes)¹ to the Department of State

secret

Paris, June 24, 1953—10 p.m.

Polto 2456. Noforn. Limit distribution. For Merchant and Martin. Reference: Topol 1476 June 23.²

1. Present draft Ismay’s paper made available by friend in IS. Action in military field recommended in Sergent paper (paragraph 2 (a) Polto 2413³) has been eliminated.

2. Present draft contains express reference to urgent need for German contribution but notes that EDC ratification “looks further off today than ever”. Conclusion reached on this point is that “unless some other method (than EDC) of ensuring German contribution for defense of West, for example, by admission Western Germany to NATO can be achieved, present state of affairs whereby we can expect no German military contribution must continue, and we run additional risk that pressures both inside and outside Germany will increase for a unified Germany, perhaps neutralized and evacuated in line with present Soviet proposals.⁴ Can scarcely be denied that unified and neutralized Germany would spell end of Atlantic defense and also of European integration and would create situation similar to that which gave birth Second World War”.

3. Specific recommendations present Ismay draft are addressed to action to be taken in political field and contain following points:

(a) Highest authorities NATO countries might, either collectively or individually, make public declaration reaffirming their resolve maintain Atlantic unity.

(b) Recent troubles Eastern Germany⁵ provide Council with good propaganda opportunity to issue brief, non-provocative but feeling statement expressing sympathy and understanding with victims of East Berlin expulsion in particular and sufferings of millions behind iron curtain in general.

(c) Above declaration would require careful timing relation Bermuda Conference. Might be unnecessary for Council to issue them if three power communiqué following Bermuda contains clear and carefully worded reference to NATO.

(d) Other means signifying NATO “really means business” might be found in following:

(1) Extension NATO treaty to 50 years;

(2) Joint declaration by US and UK that they prepared to maintain forces on continent so long as NATO agrees threat remains;

(3) Announcement that Prime Ministers will represent member governments opening session next Ministerial meeting.

As it now stands. Ismay draft represent substantial change in right direction from Sergent paper. Recognize his recommendations for political action are more specific than we would like them to be and that we’re not prepared go ahead with some of them, on other hand, we won’t have to deal with them single handedly. For example, have no reason believe UK any more prepared at this time than we are to go along with recommendation listed paragraph 3(d) (2) above. On balance, we think NAC discussion Ismay draft with its present content could serve useful purpose, particularly because of its frank, unprejudiced exposition lack of progress toward German contribution. Unless there is some last minute, unfortunate change in Ismay’s present draft, we believe Council’s discussion can be guided so as contribute purposes referred to second paragraph Topol 1476.

Hughes

1. John C. Hughes became U.S. Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council, effective June 11, 1953, but did not reach Paris until later in the month.
2. Supra.
3. Dated June 18, p. 408.
4. Documentation on proposals by the Soviet Union concerning German unification is presented in volume vii .
5. Documentation on the demonstrations in the German Democratic Republic on June 16 and 17 is presented ibid .