Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Senator Tom Connally, and Senator Arthur Vandenberg

"NATIONAL 582 2 ARCHIVES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT OF STATE : SERVICE* GONTI 16 Memorandum of Conversation February 5, 1949. DATE: SUBJECT: The Atlantic Pact PARTICIPANTS: Secretary of State Acheson Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg Charles E. Bohlen Senator Tom Connally COPIES TO: S - The Secretary U - Mr. Webb G - Mr. Rusk EUR - Mr. Hickerson L - Mr. Grogs SPO 1 -1493 The second meeting was held with Senators Connally and Vandenberg to examine the revised text of certain articles of the North Atlantic Pact along the lines of the suggestions the Senators had made at the previous meeting. The discussion was almost entirely concerned with the possible revision of Article 5. SENATOR VANDENBERG stated his preference for the first revision which followed closely the suggestions he had made at the previous meeting, namely, for the elimination of the words "forthwith* "military" and "as may be necessary". He said the second draft while having the advantage of following the language of the Charter nevertheless left an area of doubt as to who would determine what action was "necessary" in order to restore peace and security in the area and would there- fore arouse perhaps unnecessary questions in the Congress. SENATOR CONNALLY stated that he had talked this matter over with Senator George who is in complete agree- ment with him that difficulty would be encountered in the OECLASSIFIED 8. 11652, Sec 3(E) and S(D) or D.p. of State letter, Aug 2,1973 3-33-97 Bar NLT. HC NARS Datey-20.76