Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of Canada Hume Wrong, and James Bonbright

AECRET SBCURITY INFORMATION 5333 DEPARTMENT OF STATE miss Meyer Memorandum of Conversation 499 'NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS DATE: 1: SERVICA* May 8, 1952 160 SUBJECT: Suggestions Regarding Possible Meeting of the North Atlantic Council PARTICIPANTS: cook The Secretary Mr. Wrong, Canadian Ambassador Mr. Bonbright- EUR COPIES TO: s/s WE U - Mr. Bruce GER S/A - Mr. Jessup G - Mr. Matthews RA BNA s. s. COVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 The Canadian Ambassador called this afternoon at his request and left with me the attached "Oral Message" containing certain views of the Canadian Minister of External Affairs, Mr. L. B. Pearson. These have to do with the suggestions which we conveyed to Mr. Pearson through Mr. Wrong on May 3 on the above subject. With reference to Mr. Pearson's agreement with our suggestion that Chancellor Adenauer be present for the signing of the NATO Protocol, I told Mr. Wrong that the situation had been somewhat changed by recent developments. I said that the French had not welcomed the idea of having the Chancellor present at a Council meeting since this would raise the old question of German relationship to NATO. I added, however, that the suggestion had been put forward that there be a joint meeting of NATO and EDC Ministers at which the EDC and NATO Protocols would be initialed. I said that if the French would welcome this kind of arrangement we saw no reason to object and would be inclined to go along with it. This would obviate the necessity of extending a special invitation to Adenauer to be present as an observer since he would automatically be present in his EDC capacity. Mr. Wrong thought that this seemed like a pretty good idea and said he would inform Mr. Pearson about it. DECLASSIFIED Es O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (E) Wi th Dept. of State letter, By NLT HC NARS Date 7-16-26 SECRIT SECURITY INPORMATION