740.5/2–2552: Telegram
Secto 72. Ref Secto 32,2 Feb 21, rptd Bonn 10, Paris 68, London 97, Brussels unn, The Hague 12.
Reps of three occupying powers met experts from Benelux dels on Feb 21 for further discussion3 Ger financial contribution to defense. Roberts UK del outlined present state of negots and instrs which FonMins had sent to HICOM (US del had proposed giving Benelux text of instrs, but UK del was unwilling).
Main points made by Benelux reps were:
- 1.
- Benelux govts had been promised info on this subj at various times, notably in connection with EB consideration of Ger case. They had reed nothing except text of EB recommendation.
- 2.
- They felt procedure which had been followed was wrong. Matter was one affecting all NATO countries and shld be considered on 12-power basis.
- 3.
- They expressed concern that major share of Ger contribution wld be used to support non-EDC troops stationed in Ger. This wld either make it impossible to achieve proposed build-up of Ger contingents or wld result, thru operation of common budget, in placing burden of financing build-up on other EDC countries. Benelux reps expressed particular concern re arrangements after first year, Neth rep stated Neth Govt wld want to know what Ger contribution wld be before concluding EDC treaty.
In response, reps of three powers made fol points:
- 1.
- They undertook to ascertain whether Ger submission to EB and material failed [filed] with EB by HICOM cld be made available to other NATO Govts.
- 2.
- Arrangements for first year of necessity had to be handled on tripartite basis, since they were part of contractual arrangements. Informal consideration of Ger total contribution by EB members acting personally necessary because Ger not member of NATO and no procedure developed for dealing with problem. In future, three powers contemplated total Ger contribution wld be dealt with in similar way to that of NATO countries, without prejudging question of NATO membership. Division of total wld be subject to free negots between EDC, Ger and non-EDC countries.
- 3.
- The three powers believe that there will be adequate funds available in first year, after deduction of amount contemplated for Allied troop support to meet costs of Ger contingents during that period. As time goes on, Ger costs will rise and the problem will become difficult [Page 126] for US and UK. Roberts states frankly that, if UK costs not met, UK wld have to contemplate reducing number of forces. He pointed out difficulty of trying to deal now with situation which will exist many months from now and undesirability of forcing UK to take position now on what it wld do at that time. It was stressed that arrangements being concluded now wld in no way prejudge the decisions to be reached with respect second and succeeding years. Byroade concluded mtg with statement of belief problems foreseen by Benelux wld be solved in a manner satisfactory to them. He stressed overriding importance of concluding negots on contract and EDC at earliest possible moment.