840.20/12–348: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Norway

top secret

17. Nor, Dan Amb informed Dept their Govts wish complete Scand defense talks before replying re North Atlantic Pact (Deptel 2 Jan 3 to Oslo, rptd Stklm as 1; Cope[nhagen] as 2).1 They expect have about Feb 1 draft Scand Pact to submit for opinions US and Brit Govts. Until we see draft Pact we shall reserve our position.

Fol general views expressed to Swed Amb today:2 We favor Scand defense Pact provided its members are not impeded thereby from entering larger regional pact. Scand group alone clearly would not have enough strength protect its members against aggression. They would need outside help. We have rptdly pointed out that our defense materials would be allotted on priority basis to countries coming within Vanderberg Res terms and those to which we had previous commitments such as Turkey, Greece and Korea. Limitations of supply would in foreseeable future preclude furnishing weapons to countries not so qualified for assistance. We hope Scand Govts entertain no illusions on these points.

Substance foregoing para should be communicated orally and informally but as under instructions to all three govts.3 Matthews may also wish refer to statements Embtel 1331 Dec 34 and Deptel 834 Dec 4 and memo of Dec 7 talk with Swed Amb.5

Lovett
  1. Not printed.
  2. A memorandum of this conversation between Hickerson, Hulley, and Ambassador Erik C. Boheman is in Department of State file No. 857D.20/1–1449.
  3. This telegram, No. 17, was repeated to the Embassies in Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain as telegrams 18, 29, and 173, respectively.
  4. Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. iii, p. 299.
  5. Telegram No. 834 to Stockholm and memorandum by Hulley, not printed.