740.5/4–551: Telegram
The United States Deputy Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Spofford) to the Secretary of State 1
Depto 718. Deputies twenty-fifth mtg Apr 4.
1. Vice Admiral Wright (US) new chairman SG, present and stressed desire for closest working relation with CD. Hoped his visit wld be precedent for future SG chairman to visit all NATO commands and agencies upon taking chair (which rotates every three months).
Replying to US question, Wright said SG gives highest priority to problem of closing gaps between force estimates and requirements (DC/28). By coordination regional plans, particularly taking account of mobility of air and naval forces, some reduction in overall estimates of needs possible. Interim report being submitted to CD summarizes [Page 120] problem and estimates date for definitive report. Fr deputy asked if SG considered DC/28 static or if continuing revision in view changing polit and mil situation contemplated. Wright replied constant amendment necessary and stressed particularly that present paper based on regional plans and that SHAPE currently reviewing it in light overall defense strategy. Alphand suggested that planning beyond MTP, which intended to cover only first 90 days of hostilities, necessary now. Herod (DPB), also present, pointed out that SG estimates of attrition rates extremely important in planning for wartime production. Wright said attrition studies in progress and that defense planning will naturally be extended beyond first 90 days. In reply query when basic data requested of SG in Jan wld be ready, Wright estimated report ready June 30 and reports cld thereafter be made semiannually. This study to be confined to NATO forces and will not consider broader aspects natl mobilization. Chairman stressed value of such reports to CD and Alphand suggested SG, DPB, and possibly FEB each submit reports on same date to give total picture at periodic intervals. Herod said DPB interim report already submitted but that fuller report, covering steps toward mtg deficiencies hut not overall production planning, now in preparation and cld be submitted periodically.
Wright said that earlier plans for liaison secretariat now supplemented by SG paper, just submitted to MRC recommending that 2-star officer shuttle between SG and CD and that on suitable occasions reps of SG collaborate with CD in London. Neths asked if similar plans made for liaison between SG and DPB. Wright saw no reason why liaison officer shld not work with all CD agencies. Staff and org to be left to officer after he is named. Deputies gratified by these proposals.
Spofford asked if SG had any views on NATO mil org. Canada asked if Wright considered working relations with MRC satis. Wright said SG has made every effort to make org contemplated in DC 24/3 effective and believes collaboration with MRC (weekly mtgs and continuing consultation) now satis. Canada and Neths joined in asking whether, in view MRC’s role continued existence MC now awkward and conducive to delaying decisions. Wright pointed out interim solutions possible and that MC considered useful forum logical channel for studies of subordinate grps, important for policy decisions. He said Port, Belg and Canadian proposals on reorganization NATO mil side under consideration but that SG has given greater emphasis to making existing system work.
Wright made excellent impression. Several deputies later remarked frequent personal contacts with members SG and establishment satis SG–CD liaison wld greatly increase confidence of non-SG govts in SG.
[Page 121]2. Western Union deputies reported transfer of responsibilities personnel, and facilities which SG had requested be transferred from WU agencies to SHAPE had been completed.
3. Le Bigot, head of SHAPE Finance Section, outlined gen pattern of SHAPE budget just submitted to SG (Wright said wld probably be forwarded to CD in few days). UK and Italy announced now agreeable to paying their share interim advance. Canada also agreeable but, since whole question of capital costs now under consideration in Ottawa, with reservation that its contribution only for SHAPE running expenses. Agreed to convene Budget Comite April 11. UK said Parliament, before approving contributions to subordinates, and will insist on some sort of budgetary control. This problem for further discussion but Le Bigot said SHAPE envisages control through SHAPE budget Comite. Iceland maintained that it entered NATO with understanding it wld not share mil burden and asked if deputies cld accept token payment of fixed amt rather than percentage share of indefinite sum. He referred to difficulty of securing parliamentary approval since budget included no defense funds. Lux deputy agreed to advance to SHAPE but raised point that Luxembourg had no air or naval forces and might question contributing to other (North Atlantic) commands. Considerable discussion whether each govt shld contribute to all commands or only those in which it actually represented.
Port deputy said he cld agree to either scheme but felt there shld be gen agreement which course was to be followed (1b–d (51) 24). UK, Fr, Neths, Norway, Belg agreed with Eisenhower view, eloquently expressed by Wright, that local interests must not hamper common overall defense effort. Italy, Denmark, and US, though uninstructed, sympathetic this view. Canada uninstructed but saw some advantage in regional weighting in regard to infra-structure and capital costs. Neths, Canada, Ital, Norway, and tentatively US, agreed that these latter costs shld be considered separately from running costs. UK disagreed.
4. Belg announced acceptance pattern for advances on NATO civilian costs (Depto 707)2 on condition that it does not set precedent or principle.
5. Next mtg Apr 9 unless, in view Commons debate Monday, all deputies have instructions permitting action at short mtg Apr 6 on appointment Fechteler.3