Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

NLT (Naval Aide)175 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 9-4-85 February 28, 1951 TOP-E-RET SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS UNITED KINGDOM In discussing a Departmental position paper prepared in late December regarding tactics to be employed in a possible four-power meeting, Embassy London comments that it believes British opinion is a most important factor at the present time and should be given considerable weight in formulating US plans. The Embassy points out that since the publication of the original Soviet note calling for a CFM, there has been a strong demand in the UK that the Western powers at least test any situation which might result in easing international tension. This demand does not, in the Embassy's view, reflect any "softness' or weakening in the general British attitude toward the Soviets, and the character of the latest Soviet note to the UK and recent Stalin press interview have further confirmed British understanding of Soviet intentions, and the strong British note to the Soviets of February 17 was extremely well received by the British public. However, British opinion wants assurance through Western ac - tions that all reasonable avenues which might lead to acceptable settle - ments with the Soviets are exhausted. The Embassy believes that the nature of the response to this attitude on the part of the US and British Governments will have a significant effect on the British public's willing - ness to make further sacrifices in support of a defense program. The Embassy believes the US should avoid any proposals which might indicate that we are not undertaking the talks in good faith and with serious purpose. In this connection, the introduction of "clearly non-negotiable subjects", presumably for propaganda reasons, will run directly counter to the policy which the British feel the Western powers should follow. The Embassy believes furthermore, that since the Department's paper was prepared, there is evidence that the Soviets are becoming increas - ingly aware of the West's growing strength and that such tactics would appear to be unnecessary. EUROPEAN ARMY Belgian Premier Van Zeeland has informed Embassy Brussels that he is disappointed with the lack of progress made in Paris regarding a European army. He remarked that the French point of view as expressed to date seems TOP T