Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Arab-Israeli Dispute; United Arab Republic; North Africa, Volume XIII

272. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Elbrick) to the Secretary of State¹

Washington, March 25, 1958.

SUBJECT

• Introduction of the Algerian problem into the NATO Military Committee

Last Thursday, in discussing Tunisia and Algeria with Mr. Holmes and Mr. Palmer,² you mentioned the possibility of introducing the Algerian problem into the NATO Military Committee. It was left that you would discuss this possible course of action with General Norstad when you see him at 4 P.M. on Tuesday, March 25.³

I have already indicated to you EUR’s views on the difficulties which would arise if an attempt were made to introduce the Algerian problem for discussion into the North Atlantic Council without having secured a prior understanding with the French.

I consider that the introduction of the issue into the Military Committee without advance consultation with the French would have much the same effect.

The question is basically political, and the Military Committee would undoubtedly not consider itself either an appropriate or a competent forum for discussion of the issue. The French representative would, I believe, either justify French military redeployments to Algeria in familiar terms or state that it was beyond his powers to participate in Military Committee consideration of a basic policy of his Government and would move to prevent Committee discussion of the question. Other NATO members would, we feel, sit silent or support the French position.

Raising of Algeria in the Military Committee by the United States might well lead the French themselves to elevate the matter to the political level and ask for NAC support and solidarity for their position on Algeria. Here again I do not see any constructive result unless there had been a prior understanding between the United States and France.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/3–2558. Secret. Drafted by Timmons and Tibbetts; initialed by Jandrey for Elbrick and by Calhoun; cleared by Holmes and Nes; and sent to Dulles through S/S.
2. No record of this conversation has been found.
3. A memorandum of this conversation is in Department of State, Central Files, 751S.00/3–2558. Norstad echoed Elbrick’s views outlined in this memorandum.