740.5/12–454: Telegram
The United States Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Hughes) to the Department of State 1
Polto 1037. 1. SACEUR conducted excellent two-hour briefing this morning of perm reps plus selected members of international staff and [Page 540] small additional delegation representation. Questioning not particularly indicative of delegation worries or attitudes.
2. Private conversations reveal following situation with respect to MC–48:2
- a.
- U.K. Rep, although states without instructions from his govt, is strongly critical of document as drafted and wisdom of seeking approval of it at December meeting.… He is speaking freely in this vein and, for example, engaged at SHAPE after briefing in spirited debate with De Staercke, who is strongly in favor of adoption of paper. U.K. Rep is also actively engaged in arranging meeting of U.S., U.K., French, and perhaps Canadian ministers afternoon or evening December 16 to discuss paper and what actions ministers should take on it. Implication has been given that meeting is designed to review necessity for trying to press for action now. States that meeting is being arranged at request Macmillan. He is spending Monday and Tuesday in London, primarily, we understand, to discuss paper with U.K. authorities. Suggest London may wish explore urgently position U.K. government and report separately.
- b.
- After examining document De Staercke and Van Starkenborgh both state it is only right course of action for NATO to follow. Do not now expect trouble from these two countries.
- c.
- French Rep states government has not acted and does not believe Mendes-France has seen it. He is personally unhappy about it.…
- d.
- Danish Delegation has not heard from Copenhagen, but after most careful consideration believes that para 40 as now worded represents a policy decision of character which must be brought before interested parliamentary committees before Danish Government can approve document. While would be possible to arrange such consultation prior ministerial meeting, believes their government will be most loath to do so without further time to prepare way for acceptance. Suspect also that parliamentary committees would want to consult their party leaders and cannot give prompt advice. Tentative delegation thinking is that best solution from Danish standpoint would be to amend 40A by substituting “note” for “approval.” After discussion at ministerial meeting of whole problem Danish Ministers might then be able to say to their parliamentary leaders that they had discussed it with foreign ministers of Big Three and of smaller countries in positions not dissimilar from their own, who all agreed on urgency of action proposed. With this help could be prepared to put “approve” back into 40A by April ministerial meeting. Note they do not now see objection to the “approval in principle” action in 40B.
- e.
- Turk and Canadian Delegations feel sure their governments will support paper.
- f.
- Norwegian Perm Rep confirms that as result Gruenther visit Norway will cause no trouble.
- g.
- Portuguese Rep strongly favors paper but has no knowledge government position.
3. In view of nature of Danish problem and in view of full briefing given today by SACEUR, we do not feel visit to Copenhagen by military person of any rank can be helpful. Representations by British [Page 541] Cabinet Official or by Lord Ismay might be helpful but do not think can consider either until British position on paper is clarified. On balance think Danes will find it difficult to hold out if they are alone. Suggest best next step is personal message from Dulles to Lange asking Lange to explore situation with Danes.