Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume XII, Part 1

790.5/7–3152

Memorandum by Fred W. Jandrey, Special Assistant to the Ambassador at Large (Jessup), to the NATO Adviser in the Office of European Regional Affairs (Adair)

secret

[Washington,] July 31, 1952.

Yesterday in the Secretary’s meeting we took up the line to be followed with respect to ANZUS–NATO relationships. The following comments were made:

1. The Secretary pointed out an inconsistency in point B of the objective and point 11 under “Discussion”.¹ Presumably we should should reconcile this inconsistency.

2. The Secretary then went on to discuss the Australian position as presented in Australian document A–l/7.² With respect to the first paragraph he said that it was illogical that there was no advantage to us in working out the U.S. role in “joint security within the global context”. He said that our role was forced upon us, and that it now existed independent of what anyone else thought. Moreover, where the role of Australia is involved we have talked and intend to talk frankly to them. He cited MEDO and ANZUS. (In connection with ANZUS it seems to me that the ad hoc committee deliberations and report in January 1952 represent a considerable degree of consultation and it is our intention to include Australia in forthcoming talks on the defense of Southeast Asia.) The Secretary pointed out that the real place where the Australian point concerning consultation comes up is in MEDO and Australia will there be able to raise that point.

3. In the second paragraph the Secretary underlined the Australian admission that there exists no universal organization which can define global strategy.

4. With respect to paragraph 3, the Secretary said that the Australian attitude was founded on two points: (a) a misconception of what goes on in NATO (Mr. Jessup suggested that it might be a good idea to explain what really does go on there in general terms), and (b) a pushy attitude of Australia in world affairs.

5. Mr. Jessup suggested that the real answer to the Australian point of view might be to tell the ANZUS Council that we and the British would be quite prepared to make known to NATO the Australian brief and that the Secretary might ask just what it is that Australia wants NATO to know. He further suggested that we might say to the Australians and New Zealanders that we would be glad to say to Ismay³ that Australia had raised the question of relationship to NATO and has asked us to present the Australian point of view.

Fred W. Jandrey

1. Apparent reference to HON D–3b, a negotiating paper entitled “Possible Relationship Between ANZUS and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization”, not printed. (Conference files, lot 59 D 95, CF 119)
2. Dated July 24, p. 157.
3. Lord Ismay, Secretary General of NATO.