740.5/10–654: Telegram

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

secret
priority

Polto 578. Cotel. Subj: NAC Mtg October 6.

I—Problem of Associating Western Germany with Defense of West

(a) Discussion of Final Act of Nine-Power Conference Can Fon Min Pearson, in commenting on London mtg, noted decisions provisional insofar as NATO matters concerned and final decisions would be taken at forthcoming NATO min mtg. Furthermore, conferences propose but national parliaments decide. Principal accomplishments were (1) recommendation FedRep be admitted to NATO forthwith; (2) extension of Brussels Treaty Organization to include Germany–Italy. Latter pushes forward European unity concept and largely fills gap created by disappearance EDC. He underlined strong Can view pointed up in final act that Brussels Pact should be built “within framework of developing Atlantic community” and that “closest possible cooperation with NATO share be established in all fields”.

He welcomed close association of UK with continent which would reinforce Atlantic community, and at same time strengthen Commonwealth. In this connection he paid tribute to Eden’s historic statement and also stressed great importance Sec Dulles’ Sept 29 statement.2 Pearson noted arms production issue extremely complicated and referred to future Working Party.

Nor Rep welcomed Pearson’s statement underscoring importance developing Brussels Treaty Organization within NATO framework, and asked whether it was planned move former to Paris. UK Rep [Page 1375] stated no decision reached in London; matter will be discussed in Working Party. Neth and Belg Reps also stressed importance of closest possible links between these two bodies.

Dan Rep referred to London consensus NAT of indefinite duration and asked whether question of ultimate effect on agreement of eventual German unification had been discussed in London; Pearson replied latter point not discussed in any formal mtg. UK Perm Rep reported matter of duration two treaties had been discussed, and agreement reached a clause would go into Brussels Treaty concerning working in close cooperation with NATO.

Pearson also referred para 13 final act and stated his govt’s assumption was no change would take place in existing procedure for distributing Can MDAP. The Brussels Treaty Organization may make written observations. US Perm Rep stated his govt’s understanding of this para was similar to that of Can Govt.

Item I

(b) Security Arrangements (see sep tel to Wash, Bonn3)

II—Date and Arrangements for Next Min Mtg

All perm reps accepted October 22 as opening date min mtg which might run over onto following day. Altho no perm reps had firm instructions NAC recorded general consensus only fon mins and def mins would be expected attend.

[Here follow discussion of participation by non-NATO firms in competitive bidding for infrastructure works a report by the Infrastructure Committee on the execution of infrastructure projects, and brief comments on several miscellaneous items.]

Hughes
  1. Repeated to Bonn and pouched to all NATO capitals, Wiesbaden, and Heidelberg.
  2. The texts of the speeches by Eden and Dulles at the Fourth Plenary meeting of the Nine-Power Conference on Sept. 29 were subsequently made Annexes II B and A, respectively, of the Final Act of the Nine-Power Conference, pp. 1361 and 1357.
  3. Not printed; it informed the Department of State concerning a discussion in the North Atlantic Council on Oct. 6 regarding the release of classified NATO information to the Federal Republic of Germany (740.5/10–654).