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Dr. Kristinn Gudmundsson, Foreign Minister of Iceland, acted as chairman.

I. The Council examined and assessed the present international situation.

It unanimously welcomed the vigour with which the three Western Ministers had presented to the second Geneva Conference the proposals already outlined at previous meetings of the North Atlantic Council. These proposals aimed at the reunification of Germany through free elections; left the unified German Government free to choose its own foreign policy; and offered a security pact to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Council noted with regret:

1. that the U.S.S.R. had repudiated the proposal to negotiate on the reunification of Germany through free elections, in spite of the directive agreed at the first Geneva conference.2

2. that the U.S.S.R. was opposed to any effective system for the control of armaments including the air inspection plan proposed by President Eisenhower.3

3. that the U.S.S.R. had given proof of its fear and hostility with regard to the free exchange of information between the people of the Soviet Union and the free world.4

The Council declared that the negative outcome of the Geneva Conference had in no way halted the efforts of the North Atlantic powers to secure the reunification of Germany in freedom, such reunification continuing to be held by them as an essential condition for the establishment of a just and lasting peace.

The Council reaffirmed that they consider the Government of the Federal Republic as the only German Government freely and legitimately constituted and therefore entitled to speak for Germany as the representative of the German people in international affairs; it stressed once again that the security and welfare of Berlin should be considered as essential elements of the peace of the free world in the present international situation; it urged the importance of consulting further within NATO on the question of German reunification and on the situation in Berlin.

The Council also reviewed recent provocative moves and declarations by the Soviet Union regarding the Middle East and Asia. They recognised that these tactics, coupled with a continued increase in Soviet military capability, created new problems and a new challenge to the Free World.

II. Following a report by the Secretary General on the work and activities of the Organization in the last eight months, the Council discussed future defence planning of NATO. It considered the Annual Review Report for 1955 and approved force goals for 1956, 1957 and 1958. The Council welcomed the German Federal

1 See the tripartite proposals of Oct. 27, 1955 (infra, pp. 1897-1903) and Nov. 4, 1955 (infra, pp. 1921-1922).

2 Quadripartite directive of July 23, 1955; infra, pp. 1896–1897.

3 See the President's statement of July 21, 1955; infra, pp. 2841-2843.

* See infra, pp. 2012-2013 and 2018-2035.

Republic's participation for the first time in the NATO Annual Review. The Council adopted procedures designed to give new impulse and direction to the future defence planning of the Alliance and to ensure even closer co-operation in this field. The Council expressed the firm determination of all member governments to see the Atlantic forces equipped with the most modern weapons. The Council noted with satisfaction that substantial progress could be achieved in this respect as a result of the valuable assistance of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

The Council devoted major attention to improving the arrangements for air defence and warning in Europe. It accepted recommendations for the re-organization and closer co-ordination of the air defence in NATO European countries, so as to integrate further NATO activities in this vital field. The Council also received a report on a new type of communications system for air defence and warning. The United States offered to finance a pilot project for this new system.

III. The Council recognised that recent developments in the international situation made it more necessary than ever to have closer co-operation between the members of the Alliance as envisaged in Article 2 of the Treaty. They decided to instruct the Permanent Council to examine and implement all measures conducive to this end.

IV. In concluding its work, the Council declared that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remains the essential foundation of the security of the fifteen associated nations. Such associations are in direct contrast to the obsolete system under which isolated nations are in danger of being subjugated, one by one, by despotic groups such as the Communist bloc.

C. RELATIONS WITH CERTAIN COUNTRIES

Belgium

59. COMMUNIQUÉ REGARDING CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, MARCH 17, 1953 2

The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paul Van Zeeland, and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles have had a very cordial exchange of views, March 16 and 17, regarding the several questions of common interest to their two Governments. This was a contin

i.e., the Council Deputies; see supra, pp. 1609-1612.

2 Department of State Bulletin, Mar. 30, 1953, p. 473. See also Ambassador Murphy's statement of Apr. 6, 1952; ibid., Apr. 21, 1952, pp. 616–617.

uation of the talks which they had when the Secretary of State was in Brussels in February.1

During the course of their conversations they reviewed among other questions, the following:

1. The developments in the common defense action within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

2. The progress in connection with European military, political, and economic integration.

3. The economic and financial problems of interest to the two countries.

The position of Belgium within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as well as the steps which Belgium has taken to date to achieve ratification and to further the establishment of the European Defense Community have been accorded the special attention of Mr. Van Zeeland and Mr. Dulles. They have recognized the importance of an early ratification of the European Defense Community Treaty 2 which, although of European inspiration, is of great interest to the United States.

Denmark

60. DEFENSE OF GREENLAND: Agreement Between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark, April 27, 1951 3

Preamble.

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, being parties to the North Atlantic Treaty signed at Washington on April 4, 1949 having regard to their responsibilities thereunder for the defense of the North Atlantic Treaty area, desiring to contribute to such defense and thereby to their own defense in accordance with the principles of self-help and mutual aid, and having been requested by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to negotiate arrangements under which armed forces of the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization may make use of facilities in Greenland in defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, have entered into an Agreement for the benefit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in terms as set forth below:

Article I.

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, in order to promote stability and 1 See supra, pp. 1441-1445.

2 Treaty of May 27, 1952; supra, pp. 1107–1150.

3 TIAS 2292; 2 UST 1485.

Supra, pp. 812-815.

well-being in the North Atlantic Treaty area by uniting their efforts for collective defense and for the preservation of peace and security and for the development of their collective capacity to resist armed attack, will each take such measures as are necessary or appropriate to carry out expeditiously their respective and joint responsibilities in Greenland, in accordance with NATO plans.

Article II.

In order that the Government of the United States of America as a party to the North Atlantic Treaty may assist the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark by establishing and/or operating such defense areas as the two Governments, on the basis of NATO defense plans, may from time to time agree to be necessary for the development of the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and which the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark is unable to establish and operate singlehanded, the two Governments in respect of the defense areas thus selected, agree to the following: (1) The national flags of both countries shall fly over the defense

areas.

(2) Division of responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the defense areas shall be determined from time to time by agreement between the two Governments in each case.

(3) In cases where it is agreed that responsibility for the operation and maintenance of any defense area shall fall to the Government of the United States of America, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) The Danish Commander-in-Chief of Greenland may attach Danish military personnel to the staff of the commanding officer of such defense area, under the command of an officer with whom the United States commanding officer shall consult on all important local matters affecting Danish interests.

(b) Without prejudice to the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark over such defense area and the natural right of the competent Danish authorities to free movement everywhere in Greenland, the Government of the United States of America, without compensation to the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, shall be entitled within such defense area and the air spaces and waters adjacent thereto:

(i) to improve and generally to fit the area for military use;
(ii) to construct, install, maintain, and operate facilities and
equipment, including meteorological and communications
facilities and equipment, and to store supplies;

(iii) to station and house personnel and to provide for their health, recreation and welfare;

(iv) to provide for the protection and internal security of the

area;

(v) to establish and maintain postal facilities and commissary stores;

(vi) to control landings, takeoffs, anchorages, moorings, move

ments, and operation of ships, aircraft, and water-borne craft and vehicles, with due respect for the responsibilities of the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark in regard to shipping and aviation;

(vii) to improve and deepen harbors, channels, entrances, and anchorages.

(c) The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark reserves the right to use such defense area in cooperation with the Government of the United States of America for the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and to construct such facilities and undertake such activities therein as will not impede the activities of the Government of the United States of America in such area.

(4) In cases where it is agreed that responsibility for the operation and maintenance of any defense area shall fall to the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) The Government of the United States of America may attach United States military personnel to the staff of the commanding officer of such defense area, under the command of an officer with whom the Danish commanding officer shall consult on all important local matters affecting United States interests pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty.

(b) The Government of the United States of America, without compensation to the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, may use such defense area in cooperation with the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark for the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and may construct such facilities and undertake such activities therein as will not impede the activities of the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark in such area.

Article III.

(1) The operation of the United States naval station at Grønnedal will be transferred to the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark as soon as practicable and thereupon the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark will take over the utilization of the United States installations at Grønnedal on the following terms:

(a) United States ships, aircraft and armed forces shall have free access to Grønnedal with a view to the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area. The same right of access shall be accorded to the ships, aircraft and armed forces of other Governments parties to the North Atlantic Treaty as may be required in fulfillment of NATO plans.

(b) The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark will assume responsibility for the operation, to the same extent as hitherto, of the meteorological reporting service at Grønnedal, except for such future changes as might be mutually agreed upon. The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark likewise will assume responsibility for the maintenance of all United States buildings and equipment at Grønnedal.

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