Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 2

740.5/10–554: Telegram

The United States Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Hughes) to the Department of State ¹

secret
priority

Paris, October 5, 1954—8 p.m.

Polto 567. Cotel. At NAC meeting today UK distributed draft program of work on follow-up Nine-Power Conference Included suggestion that NATO Working Party should prepare draft protocol for entrance of Germany into NATO and draft protocol regarding forces committed to SACEUR. Also suggested that changes in SACEUR’s directive not be worked out before ministerial mtg but be produced by normal NATO procedure.

Unless instructed to contrary, we propose take position at WG mtg tomorrow, Wed afternoon, on basis discussion in del at London, and NPC [ NPT ] D–8a² as follows:

1. It is desirable, though not legally necessary, that German entry into NATO take place through protocol to treaty.

2. That further protocol to treaty involving military matters not be proposed. Do not think it desirable have more documents than necessary which require parliamentary action. Believe these matters are subject to evolution and should not be embedded in treaty believe council resolution which can only be amended by unanimous vote is adequate.

3. Believe it possible and desirable to have ministerial action at forthcoming meeting on changes in SACEUR’s directive, in accordance para 3 of NPC (54) 38³ to come into effect if other parts of package agreed. Does not appear likely that these will present more than one or two major policy problems which have not been resolved at London. Failure to spell out changes in directive would leave us with little or no progress beyond London decisions and in absence spelling out, govts subject to charge that agreements in principle are facade, real impact is open to question.

UK paper also proposes development formula for association other NATO members with declaration made by US UK and France in reply German declaration renouncing achievement of unification by force. We see no objection this proposal.

Will endeavor keep you promptly advised of all substantive proposals.

Hughes

1. Repeated to Bonn and London.
2. Not printed. Document NPT D–8a of Sept. 29 was one of the position papers prepared in advance of the Nine-Power Conference and it was an outline of actions required to accomplish the immediate U.S. objectives in Europe; a copy of this position paper is in the Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 363.
3. Dated Oct. 1, p. 1338.