790.5/5–1854: Telegram
The Secretary of
State to the United States
Delegation1
top secret
niact
Washington, May 20, 1954—10:32
a.m.
Tedul 93. Under Secretary from
Secretary rptd info and eyes only Ambs. JCS have submitted following comments on draft terms of
reference for five-power military talks:
- “1. The recommendations of the JCS on State Dulte 84 May 18, 19542 on above
subject are as follows:
- “a. Re para 1, meetings
should be held and completed in Washington. JCS do not concur in
British recommendation ‘to move elsewhere
later’.
- “b. Re para 2, terms of
reference should read as follows: ‘Military
representatives of participating powers (i.e., no
reference to be made to a five-power staff agency)
will meet in Washington and will undertake
military planning studies, objective of which will
be to examine, without commitment, security
matters of mutual interest and to explore means by
which military assistance could be rendered to
countries of SEA
which might request it.’
- “c. Re subpara 3(A), US
and UK should
inform France, Australia, and New Zealand,
simultaneously and jointly, in Geneva.
- “d. Re subpara 3(B) US
Govt should inform Japan, Republic of Korea,
Nationalist Govt Republic of China, Thailand, and
Philippines. UK may
inform Colombo powers and Canada.
- “e. Re unnumbered
subpara following subpara 3(B), nonparticipating
powers should be informed that purpose of exercise
is ‘to undertake military planning studies,
objective of which will be to examine, without
commitment, security matters of mutual interest
and to explore means by which military assistance
could be rendered to countries of SEA which might request
it.’
- “f. Re para 4, as to
start of meetings, upon notification from Geneva
of acceptance by France, Australia, and New
Zealand, US military authorities would initiate
call for first meeting.
- “g. Re para 5, there
should be no public announcement at beginning of
talks and no information should be given to press
as talks proceed. With reference to possibility of
a leakage, in that eventuality appropriate
quotations from terms of reference should be used
in answering questions.
- “2. Copy of this memorandum has been provided directly
to Department of State in view of urgency this matter.
For JCS: s/Arthur Radford,
Chairman, JCS.”
I discussed above with Admiral Radford this morning and send following comments (on
numbered paras in JCS memo) for your
guidance in further talks with Eden:
- 1.a.
- I explained to Radford that in our opinion any decision to
move elsewhere would have to be concurred in unanimously by
all
[Page 859]
participants
and is not subject to majority vote. This is our
interpretation which you might confirm with Eden.
- 1.b.
- JCS attaches particular
importance to this para dealing with terms of reference and
we hope very much you can get Eden to accept.
- 1.c.
- Assume you can work out arrangements to inform France,
Australia, and New Zealand simultaneously or jointly in
Geneva of terms of reference when they have been agreed by
US and UK.
- 1.d.
- We of course reserve right to inform other countries in
general terms re exercise and would expect in fact to inform
countries mentioned in JCS
memo and possibly others.
- 1.e.
- Is designed to bring information to others in line with
terms of reference proposed in lb
above.
- 1.f.
- Self-explanatory.
- 1.g.
- Has been somewhat overtaken by events as result of
yesterday’s leak in London.3
There is one point which has not been covered in Eden’s memo which is, informing
Associated States. We are going on assumption this is oversight
since notification of these States we regard as essential. Suggest
you seek Eden’s agreement to
their being informed. Assume this would be done by French and
possibly yourself also as representative of host govt.
