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

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

Athens, May 5, 1960, 1 a.m.

Secto 81. Department will issue instructions re use this message SEATO, CENTO, and certain other addressee capitals.¹ Summary—NATO Ministerial Meeting Istanbul, May 2–4.

North Atlantic Council meeting at Istanbul May 2–4 focused primarily on West positions to be taken at forthcoming summit conference. Council also examined Secretary General’s annual report on working of Alliance² and reviewed briefly international situation in various parts of world. As reflected in communiqué of May 4,³ Council approved line to be taken by three Western negotiating powers at summit and expressed satisfaction with manner in which NATO system of continuous consultation has developed.

Council welcomed prospect of negotiations with Soviet Union at forthcoming summit as offering possibility of improved international relations. Emphasized continuing strength and unity of Alliance as necessary condition of progress toward this objective. In view current Soviet attitudes and positions, however, generally emphasized Western opinion should be under no illusion as to possibility of positive achievements at summit.

Council agreed disarmament is major topic for discussion at summit and stressed Western aim of general and complete disarmament to be achieved in states under effective control. Expressed full support for Western position as formulated in Western plan filed at Geneva March 15,⁴ which is still sound and should not be abandoned because of Soviet rejection. Also agreed April 26 statements of Western principles made by Jules Moch⁵ clearly reflected Western aim of general and complete disarmament with effective controls and that West negotiations should continue to focus on specific measures of disarmament outlined in April 28 statement by United States representative at summit.⁶ Council expressed hope summit conference would produce directive to Geneva negotiations to turn their attention to these specific measures.

Council consideration of Germany and Berlin problems as subjects for discussion at summit resulted in unanimous view solution of German problem must be sought in reunification on basis of self-determination. Council generally felt West peace plan put forward at Geneva in May 1959 still valid as basic approach to German settlement.⁷ Consensus favored proposal for holding plebiscite in two parts of Germany as constructive and practical measure for consideration at summit. Council also endorsed position occupation rights of Western powers in Berlin should be maintained in absence of any other formula capable of protecting freedom and liberties of Berlin population. Recalled Council declaration of December 16, 1958.⁸

Council also considered various topics which might be discussed at summit in general framework of E/W relations. Generally agreed increased cultural exchanges with Soviets are in interest of West. Spaak cautioned against any extensive discussion of economic exchanges at summit, since these matters of special concern to all NATO countries. In this connection, Secretary General warned against any grant of extensive credits to Soviets. Consensus in Council was opposed to any discussion of joint program with Soviets in aid to under-developed countries, although there was some suggestion Soviets might be diverted to more extensive participation in United Nations projects.

Council emphasized NATO cannot be satisfied with formula of peaceful co-existence under cover of which Soviets continue to attack individual members of Alliance. Council unanimously condemned efforts of Soviet propaganda to discredit Federal Republic of Germany and other NATO governments as inimical to Alliance and inconsistent with expressed Soviet desire for improvement of international situation. In connection with Soviet campaign for peaceful co-existence, Council agreed declaration of principles governing relations between nations should be prepared for possible use at summit or for issuance as West statement prior to summit.

In its review of Secretary General’s annual report on working of Alliance, Council stressed importance of continuing development of NATO cooperation in various fields. Secretary General and various governments emphasized especially need for increasing consultation on political aspects of economic problems. Council expressed appreciation for President Eisenhower’s message communicated by Secretary Herter at opening session and welcomed its emphasis on need for long-range planning and for strengthening NATO community effectively to meet Communist challenge in years to come. Council emphasized importance of making real progress in ten-year planning suggested by United States at last December meeting⁹ and agreed to review progress in this matter at next December Ministerial meeting.

In brief review of international situation, Council heard reports by Turkey on Mid East situation, by Belgium on Congo developments, and by the United States on Cuba and Korean developments.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–IS/5–560. Secret. Repeated to the other NATO capitals and Taipei, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Moscow.
1. Circular telegram 1407, May 6, provided a briefer summary of the NATO Ministerial Meeting. (ibid., 700.00 (S)/5–660)
2. Regarding Spaak’s report and the other agenda items, see Document 255.
3. For text of the final communiqué, see Department of State Bulletin, May 23, 1960, p.840.
4. For text of the Western paper (U.N. doc. TNCD/3), submitted to the Ten-Nation Disarmament Committee on March 16, see Documents on Disarmament, 1960, pp. 68–71.
5. For text of the Western proposal (U.N. doc. TNCD/5), submitted by French Representative Jules Moch to the committee on behalf of the Western delegations on April 26, see ibid., pp. 81–82.
6. Not found, but at the NAC Ministerial Meeting on May 2, Lloyd read a list of specific measures on disarmament contained in the April 28 statement. (Secto 54 from Paris, May 2; Department of State, Central Files, 396.1-PA/5–260)
7. For text of the Western peace plan, May 14, see Department of State Bulletin, June 1, 1959, pp. 779–782.
8. For text of the declaration, see ibid., January 5, 1959, p. 4.
9. Regarding Herter’s proposed 10-year plan, see footnote 6, Document 238.