306.1 LO/2–1852: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State 1
Secto 17. Fol texts of drafts re guarantee of EDC discussed by 4 ministers this afternoon.2
- “1. Draft communiqué for issue
February 19 after tripartite meeting.
“During their meetings 17th and 18th February, FonMins of UK, USA and Fr examined among questions which will be discussed at Lisbon conf, relation to be estab between EDC and NATO.
“In particular they studied means by which govts of US and of UK wld mark their abiding interest in establishment and integrity of EDC and afford its institutions their cooperation and support. The govts of UK and USA recalled their decision to maintain armed forces in Eur which as associated with EDF will contribute their fair share to joint defense of North Atlantic area.
- “2. Declaration of 3 powers on
occasion of signature of contractual agreements with
Ger.
“Govts of USA, UK and Fr have today marked establishment of new relationship between themselves and FedRep of Ger through signature of conv on gen relations and related convs. These convs and agreements for EDC and Eur coal and steel auth provide new basis for uniting Eur and for associating Ger with West, whilst ensuring against any further revival of Ger militarism. They make possible removal of special restraints hitherto imposed on Ger and permit participation of FedRep as an equal partner in West defense.
“These agreements respond to desire to provide by united efforts for prosperity and security of West Eur. US and UK Govts share that desire and wish to assist in establishing and maintaining measures necessary to fulfill it. They will support and cooperate with Eur institutions established by these agreements.
“West defense is common enterprise in which US and UK govts are already partners through their membership in NATO. They have each expressed their resolve to station such forces in Eur as may be necessary and appropriate to contribute their fair share to joint defense of NA area. Thus they have each abiding interest in effectiveness of treaty creating EDC and in strength and continuing integrity of community. Accordingly if any action threatens continuing integrity of community or of NATO with which it is linked or impairs ability of their members to fulfill their obligations to those bodies, two govts would consider it matter of gravest concern to them calling for consultation under Art IV of NAT in order to agree measures to meet sit thus created.
- “3. British statement to be made by
FonSec in House
of Commons at an early date.
“HMG docs not consider that establishment of EDC will relieve them of their present commitments in Eur or maintenance of peace. Defense of West Eur is joint enterprise, in which UK is already partner by virtue of Dunkirk treaty, Brussels treaty and NAT. HMG believes that EDC will help to consolidate peace and to ensure that principles laid down in preamble of North Atlantic Treaty are upheld. They thus have an abiding interest in strength and continued existence of community and will afford its institutions their cooperation and support. They declare that they wld consider any action which threatens integrity of community as matter of gravest concern calling for consultation under Art 4 of NAT.”
- This telegram was repeated for information to Paris, Lisbon, and Bonn.↩
- The draft texts that follow here do not appear to have been discussed at the quadripartite meeting on the afternoon of Feb. 18; see the Laukhuff minutes, p. 67. These drafts were discussed at the tripartite meeting of Feb. 18; see telegram Secto 19, Feb. 19, p. 65.↩