39. Editorial Note
On October 12, the Department of State handed to the British Embassy in Washington a memorandum which outlined its reaction to the principal points of substance in the British draft Political Directive and expressed the hope that the views of the United States Government would be considered in the preparation of the final draft. (Memorandum of October 9; Department of State, Ambassador Martin’s Files: Lot 74 D 484, S/WF; telegram 2672 to London, October 12; ibid., Central Files, 740.5/10–1256) Without altering their draft, however, the British Government presented their proposed NATO Political Directive to the North Atlantic Council on October 19. In his statement to the Council that day, Representative Perkins stated that while the United States Government did not think it was possible to prepare a new overall NATO force plan in time for action in December, it believed that the first task of NATO was to reach a firm understanding on NATO strategy. Such an understanding would in turn permit a careful reexamination of NATO force plans. He also stated that the United States had no plans for withdrawing any divisions from Europe at this stage. (Topol 592 to Paris, October 12; ibid.)
On November 19, when discussing the Political Directive, the North Atlantic Council agreed to Canada’s suggestion that the final Directive be composed of two separate parts: 1) the conclusion of the Soviet trends paper which was an analysis of Soviet intentions, and 2) a brief and clear guidance for NATO military authorities. The Council also agreed that a working group which included the United States, the United Kingdom, and French Delegations begin drafting a directive along the lines suggested by Canada. (Polto 1135 from Paris, November 19; ibid., 740.5/11–1956) On November 21, the working group presented its draft and the text was sent to individual governments for comments. (Polto 1164 from Paris, November 21; ibid., 740.5/11–2156) Discussion and redrafting continued at the November 26, 28, 30, and December 5, 6, and 7 meetings; and on December 7, the Council completed a draft Political Directive for consideration by the Foreign Ministers at the December meeting.