16 nations, itself, is a political and a military problem of the highest order of difficulty. These are matters which we hope that our European friends will discuss among themselves. We would like to know what they, themselves, think would be suitable arrangements. These are matters that go to the very life and death of nations. They go to the very heart of the responsibilities of governments for the fate of their own peoples. So it isn't easy to strike off arrangements of this sort under some sort of a pattern of charts and notions of public administration. We are interested in a NATO nuclear deterrent. At the present time the United States basically provides the nuclear support for NATO. We would be interested in their views as to the guidelines which should guide us in the exercise of that onerous responsibility. We would be much interested in their views as to how NATO itself quite apart from the special position of the United States-how NATO itself would see the organization of such a deterrent force. This is not something which we can, ourselves, impose upon others. This is something that has to be a matter of deep consultation and thought among all of those involved. . . . The offer of Ottawa still stands, of course.

[GERMAN-UNITED STATES "EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON ... PROBLEMS OF VITAL CONCERN": Joint Communiqué Issued at Washington by the President of the United States (Kennedy) and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (Adenauer), November 22, 1961-Post, doc. 201]

179. MINISTERIAL SESSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL, PARIS, DECEMBER 13-15, 1961: Communiqué Issued December 15, 1961 78

The North Atlantic Council met in Ministerial session in Paris from the 13th to the 15th of December, 1961. A thorough examination was made of the problems confronting the Alliance. The world-wide Communist threat to freedom, the problem of relations between the North Atlantic Alliance and the Soviet bloc, in particular Berlin, were its central concern.

The aim of the peoples of the Atlantic Community is a stable order in which no man and no nation need fear for their existence, their liberty or their future. World peace cannot indefinitely rest on a precarious balance of mutual terror.

The Alliance seeks peace and disarmament, but this desire has consistently been frustrated by the Soviet bloc. The Western Powers have presented a series of plans for general and complete disarmament.79 The Soviet Government has, however, so far refused to

Department of State press release No. 892, Dec. 18, 1961 (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 8, 1962, pp. 51-52). "See post, doc. 564.

accept an effective and universally applicable system of international control, without which no nation could have confidence in a disarmament agreement. It envisages only verification of the arms destroyed, while rejecting control of the arms that remain.80 It is still the earnest hope of the Alliance that despite previous disappointments disarmament negotiations when resumed will yield useful results.

On the question of the abolition of nuclear tests, the Soviet Union has argued, evaded and obstructed for over three years, and through more than three hundred meetings.81 The Soviet Union, while professing to negotiate in good faith, must for many months past have been secretly preparing the longest series of nuclear tests yet carried out, culminating in the largest nuclear explosion yet known.82

At the same time as the Soviet Union has been attempting to intimidate the peoples of the free world with demonstrations of its nuclear strength, it has intensified its efforts to get the whole of Berlin at its mercy, to impose a discriminatory status on Germany, to perpetuate her divided state, and to break up the Atlantic Alliance. With these ultimate aims in mind, the USSR has artificially provoked a crisis over Berlin. Disregarding obligations it has undertaken, the Soviet Union has cut Berlin in two.83 The walling in of the people under its control has once more demonstrated to the world the real nature of the Communist system and the irresistible attraction of a free society. Ministers expressed their sympathy with all those for whom the raising of this wall in Berlin has meant the separation of families and the denial of escape to freedom in the West. They also expressed their admiration of the courage and attachment to freedom of the people of Berlin, and reiterated their conviction that a just and peaceful solution of the problem of Germany, including Berlin, must be found on the basis of self-determination.

In the spirit of the agreed policy of the Alliance, the Ministers recalled their communique on Berlin of 16th December, 1958,8* and reaffirmed their determination to protect and defend the liberties of West Berlin, and ensure to its people the conditions for a free and prosperous life.

Established rights and obligations, solemnly confirmed in international agreements, cannot be extinguished unilaterally by the stroke of a pen, by the signature by the Soviet Government of a "peace treaty," with a regime which represents no one but its Soviet masters. The Three Western Powers who bear special responsibilities for Berlin stand by their clear obligation to protect those who have put their trust in them. Acting in close cooperation with their NATO allies, they have taken the necessary measures to maintain their rights and to fulfill their obligations. Confirming their agreement on this policy, the members of the Alliance reaffirmed the responsibilities which each member state has assumed in regard to the security and

80 See post, doc. 565.

See post, docs. 573, 575, 605, and 607.

83 See post, docs. 593 and 598.

83 See post, docs. 250-252 and 257.

Text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1958, pp. 602–603.

welfare of Berlin and the maintenance of the position of the Three Powers in that city. They agreed to maintain close consultation on this question.

The Council heard statements on Berlin by the Foreign Ministers of the countries most directly concerned, and was informed of the intention to resume diplomatic contacts with the Soviet Union, in accordance with the aims which the West is pursuing for the maintenance of world peace and in the hope that these contacts might serve to determine whether a basis for negotiation could be found.85 Their colleagues approved the resumption of diplomatic contacts and expressed the hope that a negotiated settlement could be achieved. After full discussion of the situation, the Council agreed that the Alliance must continue on its resolute course, combining strength and firmness of purpose with a readiness to seek solutions by peaceful

means.

Ministers noted the improvements made by member countries in their force contributions, particularly in response to the aggravation of the military threat arising from the deterioration in the Berlin situation. Units have been reinforced and their state of readiness enhanced. A mobile Task Force has been established. There have been advances in cooperative programs for defense research and production, as well as in communications and infrastructure. Ministers also noted the progress made by the Council in its study of the long term problems of improving the deterrent and defensive strength of the Alliance. They instructed the permanent Council to continue its examination of these urgent questions at an early date.

The North Atlantic Treaty Alliance threatens no one. In the world as it is today the Alliance must more than ever look to its defense, in view of the ever increasing military capability of the Communist bloc and its manifest intention to expand its domination. So long as the Communist bloc is unwilling to agree to real disarmament, the countries of the Alliance must continue to strengthen their forces and modernize equipment so as to be able to deal with any form of attack. Only by an increased defense capability can the Alliance continue to deter Communist aggression. This will require still further dedication and effort from the NATO nations, but the clear and growing threat they face leaves no alternative.

In considering civil emergency planning, particularly the protection of the civilian population, the Council recognized that such measures represented an essential element in the defense effort of NATO countries.

In the economic field the Council noted that a mission of high ranking personalities had been set up in conformity with a decision taken at the last Ministerial Meeting to study ways and means of assisting the efforts of Greece and Turkey to speed up their development programs and improve the living standards of their peoples. The mission will report to the Council before the end of April, 1962.

Ministers emphasized the importance for member states, not only of raising the living standards of their peoples, while maintaining an economic structure capable of supporting an adequate defense system, but also of expanding aid to the developing countries. The economies of the NATO countries are far stronger now than when the Alliance was formed. Ministers stressed the need to strengthen and deepen co-operation between all member countries in order to continue this progress.

The next Ministerial Meeting of the Council will be held at Athens from the 3rd to the 5th of May, 1962.

[UNITED KINGDOM-UNITED STATES DISCUSSIONS ON "CONTINUED... COOPERATION... ON A GREAT VARIETY OF QUESTIONS": Joint Communiqué Issued at Hamilton, Bermuda, by the President of the United States (Kennedy) and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Macmillan), December 22, 1961-Post, doc. 207]

B. European Regional Organizations-Attempts_To Reconcile the Trading Policies of the European Economic Community (EEC, the "Inner Six") and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA, the "Outer Seven")

180. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES EXPLORATION OF "SUITABLE MEANS OF ORGANIZING CLOSER POLITICAL COOPERATION": Communiqué Issued at Paris by the Heads of State or Government of the Members of the European Communities, February 11, 1961 1

The Heads of State or Government and the Foreign Ministers of Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands met in Paris on 10 and 11 February 1961.

Special links already unite the six States at the economic level and these will be further strengthened by the implementation of the Treaties of Paris' and Rome. The six Governments are desirous of seeking, in a spirit of good will and friendship, all agreements likely to maintain and develop trade with the other European countries, especially with the United Kingdom, and with the rest of the world. They will endeavour in the same spirit to find a solution to the problems arising from the existence of two economic groups in Europe.

1 Text as printed in European Parliament, Political Committee, Towards Political Union: A Selection of Documents, pp. 6-7.

I.e., the treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community; text in American Foreign Policy, 1950–1955: Basic Documents, pp. 1039–1078. I.e., the treaty establishing the European Economic Community; text in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1957, pp. 426-518.

The object of the Conference was to discover suitable means of organizing closer political co-operation. The establishment of links in other spheres will provide future bases for a progressively developing union. This union, for the moment confined to the Member States of the European Economic Community, could subsequently extend its boundaries.

The establishment in Europe of relations of a new type founded on the development of a single market through the abolition of all customs protection measures and the harmonization of economies, and on political co-operation in a spirit of friendship, mutual trust and equality, has proved to be a major event of our era. Amid the crises and upheavals that disturb the world, western Europe, torn but lately by national rivalries and conflicts, must become a zone of agreement, freedom and progress. In this way, Europe's influence will make itself more effectively felt throughout the world, to the benefit of all free countries and, in particular, of co-operation with the United States.

It was decided to instruct a committee consisting of representatives of the six Governments to submit at the next session concrete proposals for the meetings of the Heads of State or Government and of Foreign Ministers, as well as for any other meeting that might appear desirable.

This committee will also study other problems of European co-operation, particularly those relating to the development of the Communities. It was decided to hold the second meeting in Bonn on 19 May 1961.*

181. EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION ADVANCEMENT OF THE TIMETABLE FOR REDUCING AND ELIMINATING TARIFFS: Communiqué Issued at Geneva by the Ministerial Meeting of the Council of the EFTA, February 16, 1961 5

The Council of the European Free Trade Association met at Ministerial level in Geneva from 14th to 16th February, 1961.

The Ministerial Council decided to bring forward by six months to 1st July, 1961, the date by which the next 10 per cent reductions are due to be made in the tariffs applied within EFTA." In this connection they agreed to conclude at an early date the examination, required by the Convention, of the arrangements relating to trade in fish, with the declared aim of effectively increasing this trade. Ministers agreed that the Council at official level should pursue the examination of the possibility of advancing the subsequent stages of the timetable for reducing and eliminating the tariffs applied within EFTA. They agreed that this examination should be carried out at the same time as the studies which have in any case to be carried out during 1961 in accordance with other provisions

'The committee referred to in the Paris communiqué met for the purpose of drafting the recommendations to be submitted to the new summit conference. At a meeting held on 24 March 1961, two sub-committees were set up: the first, under the chairmanship of Mr. Pescatore (Luxembourg), to study problems of cultural co-operation; the second, under the chairmanship of Mr. Ophüls (Federal Republic of Germany), to study problems of co-operation.

The preparatory work having brought to light certain difficulties, the Finance Ministers, meeting in Bonn on 5 May, proposed that the second summit conference should be put back from May to July. The difficulties in question appear to have arisen from the inclusion of defence problems in the contemplated political organization. Agreement having been reached at the meeting of Foreign Ministers held in Rome on 10 July 1961, a date was fixed for the second summit conference. [Note in source text.]

5

Text as printed in the EFTA Bulletin, vol. II, No. 3, March 1961, pp. 8–9.

This decision amended the schedule appearing in par. 2(a) of art. 3 of the EFTA Convention; see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, p. 336 and footnote 5 thereto.