740.5/3–751: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State 1
4803. Re Embtel 4600 February 23,2 repeated Paris 1566. At Prime Minister’s request I saw him today to receive British reply as to [Page 89] location of NATO civilian agencies and OEEC. Spofford accompanied me; Dixon of Foreign Office present.
Prime Minister stated government had set out their views in aide-mémoire, text which is being cabled in Embtel 4802,3 repeated Paris 1683 March 7.
Prime Minister orally stated that in addition to points made in aide-mémoire in favor NATO agencies remaining in London, there was further important question of security on continent. They could not help remembering situation in 1940. As to geographical question, I inquired whether they had considered alternatives in our aide-mémoire. He said they had. As to matter of economic organization he said they were as indicated in aide-mémoire prepared to discuss this question.
He then referred to several other points related to NATO. He hoped chief of international staff could be appointed soon. He then referred to Canadian proposals, stating he attached great importance to simplification of complicated committee structure. He hoped this matter could be concluded speedily. Spofford stated we were giving careful and urgent consideration to question and he hoped he could be in a position to take it up in the deputies in the near future.
Prime Minister then stated that he had been somewhat disturbed by reports that SHAPE was to have very large information staff stating this was a matter which in his view should be handled primarily by national governments. He said that he felt there was real question as to desirability of SHAPE engaging in psychological warfare activities; that conduct of psychological warfare by army officers might cause resentment among civilian populations in continental countries and might be construed as having too pronounced American flavor. I stated I was not informed as to General Eisenhower’s plans in this respect but latest information we had was that General Eisenhower contemplated only small staff for information purposes.
I told Prime Minister I would transmit his views and give them our further speedy consideration.