Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western European Integration and Security, Canada, Volume VII, Part 1

241. Telegram From the Delegation at the North Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting to the Department of State⁰

Paris, December 18, 1959, 1 p.m.

Polto 1178. From USDel. Subject: Private Ministerial Meeting December 17: morning session.¹

Meeting received comments on Four-Power Working Group report to Heads of Government.² At Couve’s suggestion, agreed International Staff would prepare summary which would be attached to Working Group report for consideration of Heads of Government. Highlights follow.

Italy noted paper did not yet represent views four governments and this comment confirmed by United Kingdom and France. Agreed Permanent Council would decide level of NATO meeting with four Foreign Ministers April 19. Belgium and Turkey commented that section on “stated purposes” was so broad as to leave door open to Russians to bring up anything. Stressed it important West know what it wanted to take up. Turkey worried about bringing up secondary subjects on which Russians might make concessions while failing to yield at all on matters of primary concern to NATO. Italy noted that paper did not prejudge matters re subsequent summit meetings. On section on “continued Western consultation” Italy insisted could not decide now how working groups would be organized, and stressed need for full consultation with NATO in terms of paper.

Re psychological factors Greece stressed problems already existing of false détente for countries bordering Soviet bloc which have Communist Party present. Urged West stop deluding itself. Belgium urged that West take bold initiatives in order affect Western opinion. United Kingdom agreed with both, and Spaak supported Greek caution. Theme of West taking initiative also pushed by Italy, who suggested we can force Russians on defensive on issue of non-intervention. Greece agreed.

Belgium, saying political issues will not see much progress, urged we exploit intellectual and economic collaboration as subject for discussion. Denmark agreed, and also urged Council to give negotiating powers flexibility they would need on tactics as distinguished from substance. United Kingdom pointed out we have agreed positions on Germany, Berlin, disarmament and cultural contacts but economically need a good deal more preparation on Western position.

Norway spoke in favor of 10-power disarmament meeting before summit to prepare issues for summit discussion. Secretary Herter responded that for a while we had thought East-West summit might occur before 10-power disarmament talks early next year, and had feared latter would have only just begun at time of East-West summit and thus result in confusion. He recognized difference of opinion in Working Group, thanking Lange for his views, and said United States wanted to adjust to the type of suggestion that had been made. Italy supported Norway on this point. Dutch pointed out danger in having 10-power group and thus have opportunity to propagandize it at summit before West could have disposed of it.

Italy raised question of interpretation of section on disarmament,³ urging there was no difference between procedure and substance, thus trying once again to obtain a role in disarmament preparation for summit. Couve pointed out Working Group bound no one, words may not be most happy ones and stressed substance of disarmament should be considered in Western Five. Canada urged 10-powers meet before summit. Spaak confirmed that it was understood Western Five would work in consultation with NATO and Canada urged NATO set up disarmament groups, both political and military, to study matter and give advice to Western Five. Spaak said Permanent Council could consider this later.

On Germany and Berlin, Germans pressed for free elections, no isolated solution of Berlin, which would prejudice solutions of German question and need for guaranteed liberty and access for Berliners. Spaak pointed out document really told us nothing on these subjects and urged consultation before East-West summit if any change of policy. Secretary pointed out this would be studied in ensuing months in closest contact with NATO in order to dovetail ideas. Taking positions before eve of next meeting could result in leaks. Decisions could be taken later in complete consultation with NATO.

Turkey spoke against aiding Russians economically, through credits or otherwise. Belgium urged that in preparing position of West on aid to underdeveloped countries, necessary foundation was resolution of economic problems within West in order to establish unity. Industrialized powers must improve trade between themselves if they are to help underdevelopeds. While implementation of any program should be in OEEC or ad hoc group, NATO should establish cohesion and basis for political decisions.

West should not ask Russians to join in aid program but should ask them to develop programs of their own in coordination with West. Italy doubted should go that far in bringing Russians into aid programs and Greece and Turkey also cautioned strongly against dangers involved. Norway felt Permanent Representatives should discuss economic problems within Alliance and the underdevelopeds felt that aid programs under United Nations contained ample safeguards to protect West from dangers of Russian abuse and urged United Nations method be used. Italy felt NATO should consider aid to underdevelopeds, and pointed out OEEC going to undertake this. Link should be established between NATO and OEEC. Spaak pointed out NATO could not administer aid programs for underdevelopeds but there were many political problems for discussion in NATO. Lange proposal should be considered in NATO. There is political need for common policy as inspiration for action. NATO could ask OEEC to collaborate. Turkey urged problem be studied within NATO, since OEEC contained neutrals. Pointed out Russians continually offer aid to Turkey. Secretary recognized that doubts had been expressed on advisability of taking up aid to underdevelopeds at summit in light lack of agreement in Council on major elements thereof. Said Lange proposal needs consideration. Referring to his 10-year planning proposal,⁴ Secretary urged today’s communiqué refer thereto leaving implementation to Permanent Council.

Spaak urged communiqué state that political aspects of economic problems be dealt with by NATO, and with Lange’s support said technical matters could then be taken up in OEEC.

Meeting adjourned to 3:30 p.m. to consider draft communiqué and defense resolution Spaak preparing.

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/12–1859. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Transmitted in two sections. Repeated to London, Bonn, and Rome and pouched to the other NATO capitals.
1. The verbatim (C–VR(59)49) and summary (C–R(59)49) records of this session, dated December 17, are ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1559 and 1558, respectively.
2. See footnote 4, Document 237.

3. Regarding disarmament, the Four-Power Working Group report stated:

   “Discussion of substantive disarmament matters and the coordination of Western positions for forthcoming disarmament negotiations would appear to be within the province of the Western members of the ten-nation groups.”

4. See footnote 6, Document 238.