Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western Europe, Volume VII, Part 2

324. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

March 23, 1960, 10 a.m.

SUBJECT

• Spanish-European Relations, Including NATO

[Here follows the same list of participants as Document 322.]

During his discussions with the Foreign Minister, the Secretary said he was happy with the manner in which Spain was handling the NATO countries and building up its friendship with each of them. He added that Spain was fully aware of the US position on the matter of Spain and NATO, to which the Foreign Minister assented. The Secretary then requested Sr. Castiella to elaborate on his views on the relations between Spain and the Western European complex, such as the OEEC. He stated Spain appeared to be moving in the right direction.

The Foreign Minister said Spain’s relations with all Western European countries were improving and those with Turkey and Greece were excellent. He pointed out that Turkey, Greece, Ireland, Iceland and Spain belonged neither to the Inner Six nor Outer Seven. Representatives of these countries, he said, met in Paris to see who their wise men would be.¹ Relations with Belgium and Holland were also good, he stated, and the Belgian Foreign Minister had visited Madrid during which a broad and sincere exchange of views was held. He noted that there was lack of understanding of Spain in the Scandinavian countries. With reference to NATO, Sr. Castiella stated that Spain was doing nothing as it did not wish to annoy anyone regarding this matter, although he noted a speech by NATO Secretary General Spaak favoring Spain’s admission.

The Secretary stated that there were times last December when the United States had been disturbed by the growing friction between the Inner Six and Outer Seven. However, conversations held during the past few months had been helpful and he understood that the “wise men” would present a report to the governments concerned by April 1.²

0. Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199. Secret. Drafted by Valliere and Van Reigersberg and approved in S on April 1. See also Documents 322–323 and 325–326.
1. The five countries selected Xenothan Zolotos, Governor of the Bank of Greece, as their “wise man.”
2. A Remodelled Economic Organization: Report of the Study Group of Four [Wise Men], Appointed by the Special Economic Committee, April 7, 1960, was made public on April 20.