Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

C MLTCHaval graduate Aide)231 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON August 3, 1951 TPSECROT SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS NORTH ATLANTIC Canadian Foreign Minister Pearson, now in TREATY London, has given Ambassador Gifford pri- vately what he considers the high point of his recent conversations with the Foreign Ministers of the Scandinavian coun- tries and the Netherlands. The latter all indicated their preoccupation with the Russian reaction to admission of Greece and Turkey to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Norwegian had told Pearson the Soviets had warned the Norwegians that the establishment of foreign bases in Nor - way would be regarded by the Soviets as "provocative". The Norwegian and the Danish Foreign Ministers both stated that before reaching a de - cision on Greece-Turkey, they must know what command structure was contemplated and particularly what other non-NAT countries might be included, since this would involve all NAT countries in additional indirect commitments. The Swedish Foreign Minister indicated to Pearson that Sweden was desirous of strengthening its cooperation with the North Atlantic countries in all non-military fields, both to reduce its own sense of isolation and to help remove the "curse of the anti-Soviet nature" of the NATO. (Pearson remarked at this point that he believed Sweden's isolated status was making it do at least as well if not better than most European NATO countries in strengthening its own defense.) The Norwegian, Danish and Dutch Foreign Ministers all told Pearson they felt some action looking toward closer North Atlantic non-military cooperation would be of material assistance to them in securing parliamentary and public support for tieing in Greece and Turkey, even if this were to be done by a interlocked Mediterranean pact, but particularly if the decision was for full membership. Pearson said he had been frequently asked what the US would do when it reached the pinnacle of the strength it was now building. Had the US reached a decision that its objective was not to pre - vent a war but rather to win one ? He said he had consistently replied that TSpEBET DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 By DEB NLT, Date 9-5-85