which is a difficult one, is to bring about peace, and I believe it can be done.

The United States, as a matter of national policy, as I said at the United Nations, will not give nuclear weapons to any country, and I would be extremely reluctant to see West Germany acquire a nuclear capacity of its own. Chancellor Adenauer stated that they would not, in 1954. That is still the policy of that government, and I think that is the wise policy.

. . . I believe it to be so important to stress [that] the West German army is integrated in NATO. NATO is now commanded by an American, and, in my judgment, as long as German forces are integrated in NATO-and NATO is under the control of the 15 NATO countries, none of which wants another war-there is security for all. And I think that will continue.

Now, if this situation changed, if Germany developed an atomic capability of its own, if it developed many missiles or a strong national army that threatened war, then I would understand your concern, and I would share it. .. But the situation today, and the situation for the future, is as I have described it. If it changed, then it would seem to me appropriate for the United States and the Soviet Union and others to consider the situation at that time. But it is not that way now, so why take the risk of having the United States, which is a powerful country, and the Soviet Union, which is also powerful, getting into difficulty with each other when there is no real threat in Europe to you or to us. I think that we should look at things as they are in 1961. . . . This is not 1939, 1940, or 1941.

I would hope that, rather than attempting to talk about conditions in Germany as they were 20 years ago, we would look at them as they are today. We have had peace, really, in Europe for 15 years. The problem now is to see if we can reach a negotiation which can settle this matter for another 15 years. Nobody knows what is going to happen in the world over the long run, but at least we ought to be able to settle this matter of Berlin and Germany.

7

See American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, pp. 1478-1479.

Part VII

THE NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST

285. PROSPECTUS OF UNITED STATES POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST: Letter From the President of the United States (Kennedy) to the King of Jordan (Hussein), May 11, 1961 (Excerpt)1

While, since inauguration on January 20, I have perforce been largely occupied with the several international crises of immediate concern, I have given considerable thought to other international areas that deserve the careful attention of us all.

My thoughts have often turned to the Middle East, an area which has contributed so much to the religious and cultural heritage of the world today and whose potential for further rich contributions to civilization is great.

As an American, I am proud that the concepts of our founding patriots, of Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt have played such a great part in the emergence of vigorous, independent Arab states, respected as sovereign equals in the international community.

In recent weeks I have noted some speculation as to the direction of the policies of the new United States Administration with respect to the Middle East.

Let me assure you that the concepts inherited from the sources mentioned above are part of the very fiber of this nation and that as its President I intend to uphold them.

You will find us at all times and all places active in the struggle for equality of opportunity; for government of the people, by the people and for the people; for freedom from want and fear; and for the application of justice in the settlement of international disputes. Translating these great precepts into United States policy in the Middle East for the next few years, I want you to know that:

Firstly, the United States will, to the best of its ability, lend every appropriate assistance to all Middle East states that are determined to control their own destiny to enhance the prosperity of their people and to allow their neighbors to pursue the same fundamental aims.

1This partial text was secured in Amman, transmitted from Beirut, June 25, 1961, and printed in the June 26, 1961, edition of the New York Times. The complete official text has not been released in Washington. Similar letters were sent to the King of Saudi Arabia, the Presidents of Lebanon and the United Arab Republic, and the Prime Minister of Iraq.

Secondly, the United States remains ever ready to contribute both within and outside the United States to the search for solutions to disputes which dissipate the precious energies of the Middle Eastern states and retard the economic prosperity which all free peoples rightly desire.

Thirdly, with a view toward improving the welfare of the people of the Middle East, the United States is prepared to continue to support national development programs which are effectively designed to make available American commodities under the Food for Peace Program and to encourage educational exchanges and to facilitate political and economic progress.

While tensions unfortunately have sharpened in certain other areas of the world, the Middle East during the past three years has been relatively tranquil. This has been due largely to the statesmanship on the part of the area's leaders, who have given priority to constructive programs of economic development.

Secretary Rusk and I have been struck by the unanimity of views expressed to us by representatives of the various Middle East states, emphasizing that the present relative tranquillity should be preserved.

Underlying tensions do, however, remain, not the least of which is the unresolved Arab-Israel controversy. I know deep emotions are involved. No easy solution presents itself. The American Government and people believe that an honorable and humane settlement can be found and are willing to share in the labors and burdens which so difficult an achievement must entail if the parties concerned genuinely desire such participation.

We are willing to help resolve the tragic Palestine refugee problem on the basis of the principle of repatriation and compensation for property, to assist them in finding an equitable answer to the question of the Jordan River waters-resources development, and to be helpful in making progress on other aspects of this complex problem.

I am pleased the United Nations General Assembly recently underscored the necessity to implement more rapidly its previous recommendations on the refugee problem.2 In this connection I wish to state unequivocally that this Government's position is anchored and will continue to be anchored in the firm bedrock of support for General Assembly recommendations concerning the refugees and of action and impartial concern that those resolutions be implemented in a way most beneficial to the refugees.

The United States, as a member of the Palestine Conciliation Commission and as a nation keenly interested in the long-range advancement of the people of the Middle East takes seriously the task entrusted to the Commission and of the United Nations. We are determined to use our influence toward a just and peaceful solution.

What precise steps the Commission may be able to take are of course not yet clear, but I can assure you that there will be no lack of United States interest in seeing that all parties directly concerned will cooperate fully with whatever program is indicated by the Commission

See post, doc. 289.

3 The other two members were France and Turkey.

so that the best interests and welfare of all the Arab refugees of Palestine may be protected and advanced.

Given the long history of friendly relationships between the Arab people and the interdependence of all men who wish to remain free, I want to be certain that you and other Arab leaders have no misunderstanding of our attitude toward the Arab people. It continues to be one of sincere friendship, with mutual respect for the others' points of view, mutual and active concern for the betterment of mankind, and mutual striving to eliminate the causes of international tensions. I am sure the future will bring ever friendlier and more productive relationships between our countries and the freedom-loving peoples.

A. The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO)

286. NINTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF CENTO, ANKARA, April 27-28, 1961: Communiqué Issued April 28, 1961 1

1

The Ninth Session of the Ministerial Council of the Central Treaty Organization was held in Ankara on April 27 and 28, 1961. The delegations from countries participating in this meeting were led by:

(i) H.E. Mr. Hossein Ghods Nakhai (ii) H.E. Mr. Manzur Qadir

(iii) H. E. Mr. Selim Sarper

(iv) The Right Honourable The Earl

of Home

(v) The Honourable Dean Rusk

Foreign Minister of Iran

Minister for External Affairs,
Pakistan

Foreign Minister of Turkey

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
United Kingdom

Secretary of State, United States of
America

The Foreign Minister of Turkey, as host, was in the chair.

The Session was inaugurated by a message of welcome from the Turkish Head of State and Government, General Gürsel, which was read by General Fahri Özdilek, the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Council noted that the year intervening since its last meeting in April, 1960,2 had been marked by close cooperation and unity of basic objectives among the CENTO partners.

The Council considered the international situation and the increase of tension in many areas of the world. They observed with satisfaction, however, that apart from the continuation of hostile propaganda, there had been no encroachment on the integrity and independence of the CENTO region.

The Council were informed of the efforts being made to achieve political solutions of the many difficult issues facing the nations of the world. They recognised that there are many problems in which

1

Department of State Bulletin, May 22, 1961, pp. 779-780. For the text of Secretary Rusk's statement at the opening session, Apr. 27, see ibid., pp. 778-779. For the text of the final communiqué issued at the close of the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Council at Tehran, Apr. 28-30, 1960, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1960, pp. 478–480.

there is an urgent need for a demonstration by the Sino-Soviet Bloc of a readiness to respect the independence and sovereignty of nations and to use the international machinery which is available for arriving at settlements through negotiation. In particular they regard an early agreement on the cessation of nuclear tests as an essential first step on the road to disarmament.

The Council reviewed the economic work of the Organization and recognised the good results achieved in technical assistance and mutual cooperation in communications, agriculture, science and technical education, health and trade. The Council reaffirmed keen interest in steady progress towards the early completion of adequate roads, railways, ports and telecommunications between the regional countries of CENTO.

The Council took note of the report made by the Military Committee, and agreed to appoint a Commander-CENTO Military Staff, to improve the co-ordination of defence planning among the participating states.

In approving the Report of the Secretary General, the Council expressed their gratitude to Mr. M. O. A. Baig for the distinguished services which he has rendered. The Council warmly thanked the Government of Turkey for its generous hospitality in putting at CENTO's disposal the historic Grand National Assembly building as a temporary headquarters for the International Secretariat and the Combined Military Planning Staff pending consideration of a permanent site.

The Council decided that the next meeting will be held in London in April, 1962.

287. MEASURES TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN THE PERMANENT STRUCTURE OF THE CENTO COUNCIL: Statement Made by the Secretary of State (Rusk) at a News Conference, May 4, 1961 5

I have just come back from a meeting of CENTO in Ankara since I last met you here. I felt that that was a very useful meeting in reviewing the general situation with our friends in the Central Treaty Organization. We made a little headway with the "trade union of foreign ministers," seeking to create more tolerable working conditions. We decided to have formally scheduled meetings only once a year,

3

Established at the first ministerial meeting of the Baghdad Pact Council, Nov. 21-22, 1955; see the Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 2, 1956, pp. 16-18. The United States, while represented by an observer delegation at the ministerial meetings of the Council, announced its accession to full membership in the Military Committee, June 3, 1957; see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1957, pp. 772-774 and 776–777.

So designated in accordance with the Jan. 31, 1958, communiqué of the Council; text ibid., 1958, pp. 890-894.

3 The statement printed here is taken from p. 756 of the Department of State Bulletin, May 22, 1961 (reprint of Department of State press release No. 287). See supra.

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