Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western Europe and Canada, Volume VI, Part 1

MSA telegram files, FRC Acc. No. 54 A 298, “Paris Repto”: Telegram

No. 21
The Special Assistant to the United States Special Representative in Europe (Tasca) to the Mutual Security Agency

secret
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Paris, March 22, 1952—8 p.m.

Repto 1372. For Harriman (and Lincoln Gordon), Draper, Kenney, Perkins. Ref: Repto 1321, March 20.¹

1. We have been giving further thought to action which we can take on US side at forthcoming Min meeting of OEEC council. We believe US should not only express its views as to importance of OEEC, but should make some significant demonstration of our basic position that OEEC is the org which should carry out the econ and fin work of NATO. We believe this can best be accomplished by having Amb Draper make a forthright statement at OEEC meeting and include in his statement a specific request that the OEEC begin at once on a task whose importance will be obvious to all.

Believe this task should call for OEEC-wide effort representing a combination of the type of programming and recommended division of aid work done in 48/49 and 49/50, on the one hand, and the NATO econ capabilities exercise as represented by Feb interim report and TCC work, on the other hand. This request should be keyed to time schedule providing organization’s report be completed prior to Aug 1 date for use in NATO second annual review. In other words, OEEC would have to begin at once on a major exercise to be completed within four months. This exercise should also provide econ basis for decisions as to distribution of econ aid. (Note that Austria is only non-NATO member of OEEC which receives aid.) Finally, in order to give positive evidence our interest in and support of OEEC, US must offer to make submission and participate in work on substantially same basis other countries.

2. Realize many aspects of this suggestion remain to be worked out, but we here are all convinced that this is the best manner of doing the basic econ and fin work required to realize NATO objectives. We believe matter of relations with neutrals is capable of being resolved.

3. If you agree, would appreciate soonest your comments and suggestions in time for Min Council meeting March 27.²

Tasca

1. Document 15.
2. In telegram 5832 from Paris, Mar. 25, Merchant informed Perkins that he felt it would be unfortunate timing and destructive of good relations with Lord Ismay for Draper to make any precise statement before the OEEC Ministerial delegates along the lines suggested in telegram Repto 1372. (740.5/3–2552)