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

740.5/2–2454: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council, at Paris¹

secret

Washington, February 25, 1954—7:10 p.m.

Topol 955. Ref Polto 1354.² Suggest US Representative take following line at Feb. 27 NAC discussion date next Ministerial Meeting:

1. U.S. inclined minimize risk of Soviet charge NATO “ganging up” particularly since Geneva meeting³ confined Far Eastern problems and no true grounds exist for such charge. Furthermore, precedent for spring Ministerial Meeting established.

2. Canadian suggestion meeting during Geneva conference on other hand would increase any possible risk of “ganging up” charge since would tend appear as simultaneous consultation with NATO on progress Geneva. Moreover would be tactically difficult, if not impossible, persuade Soviets and Chinese agree to necessary recess Geneva meeting to permit attendance Western principals NATO Ministerial Meeting.

3. While might be certain advantages Ministerial Meeting in May following Geneva, uncertainty re duration Geneva conference makes unfeasible schedule definite May date until Geneva talks well underway.

4. U.S. reiterates its objections to March meeting (Topol 934⁴) and strongly urges agreement on April 22–23 date as most practicable. If others feel necessary further dissociate such meeting from Geneva talks, advance publicity might tie Ministerial Meeting to NATO Anniversary, even though dates do not exactly coincide.

5. If April 22–23 agreed upon, believe early public announcement desirable.

Foregoing assumes agreement agenda will be restricted political subjects. Treasury, Defense, FOA informed.⁵

Dulles

1. Drafted and initialed for the Secretary by Charles W. Adair, NATO Adviser in RA; cleared by EUR and S; repeated to Rome for Bruce.
2. Not printed; it reported that at a closed North Atlantic Council session on Feb. 24 agreement was not reached on an appropriate date for the next ministerial meeting. (740.5/2–2454)
3. Reference is to the Geneva Conference on Korea and Indochina, Apr. 26–July 21, 1954, documentation on which is in volume xvi .
4. Not printed; it reported Dulles’ view that the forthcoming NATO Ministers meeting should be brief, held at Paris just prior to the opening of the Geneva Conference, and confined to the Foreign Ministers of the various NATO countries. The decision took into account the belief that an earlier meeting would risk coming in the middle of the French EDC ratification debate. (740.5/2–2354)
5. In telegram Polto 1395 from Paris, Mar. 3, Hughes reported that the French had agreed to an Apr. 23 date for the NAC Ministerial meeting, that the North Atlantic Council had agreed that the general political situation would be discussed, and that a brief communiqué would be promptly released stating the meeting would mark the fifth anniversary of NATO. (740.5/3–354)