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

740.5/10–1454: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State ¹ to the United States Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council (Hughes), at Paris²

confidential

Washington, October 16, 1954—1:16 p.m.

Topol 466. Re Polto 652.³ Our general concept regarding forthcoming meetings is as follows:

(1) Four Power meetings October 20–21 would settle unagreed points and reach agreement on text protocol.

(2) Nine Power meeting October 21 (and morning 22 if necessary) would have primary task resolving unagreed points and reaching agreement on Brussels Treaty instruments. These would include (a) declaration on accession of Germany and Italy; (b) protocol No. I modifying Treaty; (c) protocol No. II on arms control; (d) agreement on force ceilings.

(As extension of London Nine Power conference, this meeting would theoretically also consider other elements in London Final Act However, we believe it preferable confine meeting to Section II problems, although it may be desirable to use meeting as means obtaining German approval NATO arrangements resolution, since Germans will not attend NATO meetings.)

(3) NATO meeting October 22 (and 23 if necessary) will be responsible for agreeing on: (a) Protocol on accession Germany to NATO; (b) NATO arrangements resolution and (c) resolution for NATO-wide association with tripartite security declaration.

(4) Ad Hoc 15–Power public meeting would be held October 23 to perform signing of all documents for which this necessary. Believe this meeting should be held Palais de Chaillot This would appear involve: (a) signing by Four Powers of protocol terminating occupation regime; (b) signing by present Brussels Treaty Powers of Brussels Treaty Protocols and agreements; (c) signing by all NATO powers of protocol on accession Germany. NATO resolutions would not require signing.

Re chairmanship, agree that Eden should chair 9–Power Meeting on basis extension London Conference. Would also prefer have Eden chair Four Power meeting, again on basis extension London. However, would not object Mendes chairmanship if French so desire as host country.

Would suggest limiting publicity to absolute minimum during meetings (1), (2), and (3) above. Ministers will have very tight timetable if above schedule to be maintained. Would suggest only short period for pictures at opening conference. Final signing meeting would of course receive fullest publicity treatment.

Re numbered points Polto 652 not covered above, following comments:

1.4 This has already been partly done by Bonn Working Group. See Bonn’s 1079 to Department, repeated Paris 210.⁵ Assume Bonn will also do what remains to be done. Believe Four-Power Ministers might report to NATO on agreement reached, but this presumably could not be done until completion Four-Power meeting. See no necessity for NATO action other than to take note of report.

2. and 4.6 Bonn responsibility.

Hoover

1. Herbert Hoover, Jr., replaced W. Bedell Smith as Under Secretary of State on Oct. 4, 1954.
2. Drafted by Fessenden and cleared with Moore, Auchincloss, McCardle, and Elbrick; repeated for action to Bonn and for information to London.
3. Not printed; it informed the Department of State concerning an informal meeting of representatives of the Four Powers during which arrangements for the Four-Power meeting of Oct. 20 were discussed (740.5/10–1454).
4. Numbered point 1 of telegram Polto 652 (see footnote 3 above) concerned a list of documents and requested what action would be required at the Four-Power, Nine-Power, and NATO meetings, and what type of report on the Four-Power talks should be made to the NATO ministerial meeting.
5. Not printed; it summarized the work of the Bonn Working Group on the Termination of the Occupation Regime and outlined the outstanding issues. (762A.0221/10–1554)
6. Numbered points 2 and 4 of telegram Polto 652 (see footnote 3 above) concerned the provision of ample copies of documents needed at the Four-Power meeting and whether there would be a formal agenda.