157. Telegram From the Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations to the Department of State1
Polto 375. Dept pass Defense. USUN for Kohler. At NAC meeting September 22 to consider deep dissatisfaction of NAC at relationship between four power Washington group and NAC, skillful and constructive presentation by Stikker held Council in line with hope for increased consultation in immediate future. Stikker told of work that has been going on preparing directive to Norstad and engaged to submit paper to NAC next week, if needs be expressing disagreements. He said political consultation on right track and economic consultation needs improvement. He concluded on basis of point made in Polto 354,2 which I had given him and three Perm Reps yesterday, per your welcome Topol 391.3 Canada took lead in criticizing past errors to live up to commitments, seriousness of issues involved, and making constructive suggestion, including insistence better information, particularly on NATO-wide plans. Canada stressed any plan to use nuclear weapons re Berlin even by three is responsibility of NAC. Italy, Netherlands, Turkey and Belgium supported Canada complaints and Stikker’s approach, strongly pressing for IS observer or representative with Ambassadorial Steering Group. UK and US opposed, and Stikker said would study further.
UK explained role of Ambassadorial Group, and I agreed with Stikker’s principles (Polto 354) and suggested he study matter and make recommendations.
It is clear there is still dissatisfaction, and proof of the pudding is going to lie in the eating of how we deal full NAC into our operations on full partnership basis.
[Page 435]There were continued and pointed requests for prompt reports of Rusk-Gromyko talks.4
Full report follows by airgram.5
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/9-2261. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to USUN.↩
- Polto 354, September 19, reported that developments in the previous 48 hours showed that the rest of NATO was very concerned that the United States, the United Kingdom, and France were not consulting with or considering suggestions from the Alliance in their discussions of Berlin. (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Germany, Berlin, Cables)↩
- Topol 391, September 20, reported that at the Ambassadorial Group meeting that day the United States and the United Kingdom agreed to be more forthcoming with NATO, while France raised various objections to closer consultations. (Ibid.)↩
- See footnote 2, Document 156.↩
- A-337, September 24. (Department of State, Central Files, 375/9-2461)↩