Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NCT ( Naval Addel 386 / OFFICE OF DECLASSIFIED THE SECRETARY OF STATE the E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 WASHINGTON State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 4-10-85 August 27, 1952 TOP SEGRET SECURITY INFORMATION SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS NATO ANNUAL Mr. Draper has reported an extensive conversation REVIEW: with Lord Ismay, Secretary General of NATO, con- cerning the background assessment paper which Ismay desires to prepare for the benefit of the North Atlantic Council permanent repre- sentatives in connection with the annual review. In outlining his thoughts for this paper Lord Ismay said that the first point he would make is that the Russians are not reckless adventurers but cold cal- culating men. Consequently, they will not strike unless they are sure to win and the North Atlantic Alliance has now acquired teeth which give them pause. From this he draws the conclusion that if we do not slacken our efforts or fail in our resolution, war is not in- evitable but can be averted. This requires, however, an increased and a sustained defense effort and in planning it we must make sure that we do not in the process lose the cold war by straining our economic and social fabric. Secondly, in his paper he will combat the insidious view, which incidentally he says is held in certain high governmental quarters in the UK that we should concentrate on the defense of Europe and somehow end the peripheral wars in Korea and Indochina. Lord Ismay said this point of view must be scotched 'for we all know what happened when they called the Roman Legions home.' Finally, NAC should recognize that it is in effect the Cabinet of the North Atlantic Alliance and that one of its respon- sibilities is to develop from a political point of view and refine the directives to the military commanders. He then elaborated a thought he has expressed before that the present defense plans must be modi- fied along lines of putting more in the shop window and less in the back of the store, on the basic assumption that if war comes the crucial battle will be fought in the first six weeks during which period retalia- tion would have a chance to make its weight felt. Lord Ismay believes that this would require a substantial revision of the composition of forces with a concentration on immediate mobilizable reserves and an increased emphasis on air. Draper was impressed and encouraged by the fact that Lord Ismay's attitude was not one of discouragement and that he is increasingly conscious of the role of leadership which he must play in the Council. TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATIO