Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 2

740A.56/11–1252

No. 715
Memorandum by the Director of the Office of British Common-wealth and Northern European Affairs (Raynor) to the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Perkins)¹

confidential

[Washington,] November 12, 1952.

• Subject: Letter from Douglas MacArthur dated October 25, 1952, Concerning Conversation with Irish Foreign Minister.²

I think that the question of the Irish purchasing arms from the United States is one which should not presently be actively pursued by the United States. Ireland might interpret any loosening up on our part as a vindication of its policy of neutrality which is ostensibly based on partition. We have consistently held that partition is not the concern of this Government; that Ireland can make its most effective contribution to collective security within the framework of NATO. Any departure from this position on our part might be misunderstood by both the Irish and the British. Consequently, I think the matter might be left quiescent for the time being.

1. Drafted by Christensen.
2. Neither the letter nor a memorandum of the conversation has been found in Department of State files.