Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 2

396.1 LO/9–3054

Telegraphic Summary by the United States Delegation¹

secret

London, September 30, 1954—7 p.m.

Fourth plenary, afternoon, September 29. Eden opened meeting for discussion of security declarations.

Adenauer recalled tripartite declaration, Paris, May 27, 1952 regarding Berlin and declarations in Bonn conventions² relating common aims three powers and Federal Republic bring about reunification of Germany in peace and freedom and freely negotiated peace treaty. Stressed since conventions not ratified it important declarations should be repeated.³ Eden replied thought all parties concerned stood by the declaration and that Ministers should consider how best express such agreement in findings of conference.

Discussion extension duration NATO Treaty followed. Eden stated UK in conformity with its declaration last April continued regard it as being of indefinite duration. Suggested it would be reassuring to public opinion for Ministers to say they conceive of no circumstances in which they would wish to denounce it. Spaak suggested protocol Brussels Treaty should state it same duration as NATO. Was agreed that permanent commission of the Brussels Treaty, with Germans and Italians represented, would look into the suggestion at its meeting following day.

Secretary and Eden then discussed US and UK declarations (full text both statements carried Wireless File).⁴

Mendes-France replied those statements saying two declarations were powerful contributions to the realization of the common aim; that Secretary had reminded Ministers of US efforts to help in setting up a peace in Europe which had suffered so much and should take back with him the gratitude which the people of Europe feel towards the US. Said that gratitude would be increased by what the US would do for Europe in the future if Europe does what it should. In commenting on Eden statement, said message would play great role in current deliberations and that he rejoiced to hear UK views toward strengthening its military contribution to the security of Western Europe.

Spaak spoke in appreciation Secretary’s statement and expressed the conviction that after a moment of weakness, Europe had started once more on right road. Emphasized the great sacrifice involved in UK declaration.

Adenauer stressed that statements would make deep impressions on Germans on both sides of iron curtain and spoke of realization of obligation to a united Europe. Secretary and Eden agreed to submit edited texts for the record. Martino, Bech, and Beyen also praised two statements.

Pearson commended US and UK Foreign Ministers for statements.⁵ Stated Canada accepted the continuing obligations arising out of its membership in NATO and would continue to do its best to discharge them. Said the disappearance of the EDC does not affect those obligations but that an alternative arrangement must include the association of Germany not only with the defense of Europe and the West, but with the development of the Atlantic community. Said the Canadian forces on European Continent is not only measure of military contribution to common defense but an evidence of Canadian belief in the future of North Atlantic Community. Canadians would look forward to growing relationships within the framework of NATO to the Brussels Treaty countries with whom they were bound by such close ties. A short communiqué containing substance of US and UK statements was approved.⁶ The meeting adjourned with agreement to reconvene at 11:00 a.m., September 30.

1. Transmitted to the Department of State in telegram Secto 14, Sept. 30, and repeated to Bonn, Rome, Ottawa, Luxembourg, The Hague, Brussels, and Paris for USRO, CINCEUR, and Reinhardt. A 26-page verbatim record of this meeting is in the Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 366. The list of principal participants, not provided in the source text, was taken from the verbatim record.
2. For the text of the Tripartite Declaration on Berlin, see volume vii . For the texts of the Bonn Conventions, see ibid .
3. Adenauer’s statement requesting these declarations was circulated as document NPC(54)21, a copy of which is in the Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 364.
4. The texts of the statements made by Dulles and Eden were subsequently included in the Final Act of the Nine-Power Conference as Annexes II A and B, pp. 1357 and 1361.
5. For the text of Pearson’s statement, see p. 1363.
6. The communiqué, not printed, was circulated as document NPC(54)13 of Sept. 29. (Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 364)