Office of the Historian

371. Telegram From the Embassy in Canada to the Department of State1

Ottawa, July 10, 1957— 4 p.m.

28. External Under Secretary Leger cautiously intimated to me that Continental Air Defense Command Integration will be searchingly examined by Cabinet with certainty of delay in action and possibility of decision that draft agreement must undergo substantial alteration. I told him that General Foulkes, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, had told me he was extremely encouraged over his recent lengthy discussion this subject with Defense Minister Pearkes. Leger indicated that Pearkes would carry some weight but would by no means control Cabinet decision on subject with such high political content.2

Merchant
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 742.5/7–1057. Top Secret.↩
  2. By the end of July, however, the Canadian Government decided in favor of establishing NORAD. See Document 376.↩