136. Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State0
Secto 70. Eyes only President and Acting Secretary. There is general consensus among Ministers and US Delegation that this has been most successful NATO meeting of Kennedy Administration. There was genuine satisfaction our handling Berlin problem to date and, despite minor needle from Luns and expected reservation from Couve de Murville, agreement on basis on which we plan to proceed.
My bilateral talk with Schroeder was friendly and relaxed as was quadripartite dinner on Berlin.1 Couve took initiative to tell me he appreciated accuracy of US background press briefing and recognized error Drew Middleton story was solely matter New York Times.
Two US statements on defense, especially additional information provided by McNamara, made profound impression not only because of what was said but because US took unprecedented step to demonstrate its seriousness and solidarity with respect to Alliance problems.
Only serious frictions my visit Athens were as anticipated problem of West New Guinea with Netherlands which I hope to resolve this afternoon, and colonial questions with Portugal which will require further careful nursing. Luns told me privately he had been “rather unfair” in his speech on WNG at NATO table and certain other members of Six who supported him at table told me privately his language had been excessive. I am convinced that it was wise not to permit matter to become bitter Donnybrook at NATO table set off by a sharp reply by me to Luns and I know that other members appreciated this restraint.
[1 paragraph (7-1/2 lines of source text) not declassified]
Minor potential storms such as Greek revolt against wisemen’s report2 and Italian rejection of nuclear guidelines were successfully resolved and meeting ended this morning in atmosphere of harmony and confidence which erased memories of the communiqué battle which marred December meeting in Paris.
[Page 389]Will background American press this afternoon but cannot guarantee they will reflect the boredom of serenity as contrasted with the high news value of even bits and pieces of disagreement.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–AT/5–662, Secret; Priority; No Other Distribution. Rusk was in Athens for the North Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting, May 4–6. Summary and verbatim records of the sessions, telegrams to and from the U.S. Delegation, memoranda of conversations, briefing papers, and the texts of Rusk’s statement on the political situation and his and McNamara’s statement on NATO defense policy, are ibid., Conference Files: Lot 65 D 533, CF 2095–2103.↩
- Memoranda of these conversations on May 5, US/MC/30 and US/MC/21, are ibid., CF 2095.↩
- Documentation on the “Report on the Special Economic Problems of the Less Developed Member Countries” is ibid., CF 2103.↩