DECLASSIFIED 45 Li k a-Pf ACTION COPY TELEGRAPHB NCH - a A Mil-z 1684 D 7 ment of State II Secretary of State I 962 August 3 11 p m 9 56 a PRIORITY mm AM Jrlia 3 EYES ONLY FOR ACHESON AND BYROADE 5 MM gaff Many factors have led me to conclude that the time is now ripe for a basic solution of the problem of defense of Western Europe The steps in my thinking have been as follows 1 As many have long recognized the creating of Western European defense is basic for the existing world situation The rate of achieving this has been far too slow He must recOgnize that if Russia overruns Western Europe we will have no real chance to re-create its civilization by liber- ating it months or years later Thus we must plan for effective defense to prevent invasion by the Soviets I think there is no other alternativeJudgment this objective cannot be achieved merely by strengthening national armies of the Western European countries My reasons for this conclusion are these A There is every evidence that even France lacks the capacity if not the will to build a national army able to carry the brunt of defense of Western Europe A similar feeling that the best they could do would be ineffective also pervades the thinking of the other European countries B To defend Western Europe effectively will obviously require real contributions of German resources and men I am absolutely opposed to re-creating any German national army now or in the foreseeable future In my opinion to do so would be a tragic mistake It would undermine much that we have so far achieved in democratizing German society Also I think it is an illusion to suppose that the Germans have a burning desire to create a national army or that they would enlist or could be conscripted into such an army in ubstantial numbers Indeed I am convinced they are opposed 0 such a step Ecreover a separate German force under r r1 German command grThis copy must be returned to central les With notatlon of action taken 0 3m 11 from Frankfort German command would involve serious risk of thei Off east and west and ultimately Joining the Playing #962 August 3 Soviets the powerful bait in their hands the Soviets would With even harder to attract the Germans into their orbit and a shift of a strong Germany would be disastrous were forced to accept such rearmament much less herself to effective defense If France she might contribute 3 There is now a real chance to solve this difficulty by creating a genuine European army If done quickly this offers the best chance to convert our present weakness into real strength The French appear eager for some such action giving them the hope of effective defense without the risk of a German national army Moreover the German Cabinet and public opinion is believed to strongly favor such a course Indeed the German people and especially German youth are deeply attracted by the idea of a European community in which as an equal partner they could Join I feel that this concept if applied in the military field as well as _in others will produce more men and a greater contribution In addition to defense against Russia this action would contribute to our own basic obJectives in Western Europe At one step it would fully integrate Germany into Western Europe and be the best possible insurance against further German aggression This dramatic move toward European federation would also fulfill the deep urge in France Germany and BENELDX for a real European community 5 This step involves some risks but is the bes available alternative A It ma be ob ected that the adoption of this course would conglicatejour problem and that time is not sufficient to carry it out The short answer is that this is the only way to achieve effective defense and that any other course even if vigorously followed will not do so Furthermore I strongly believe that bold action now would give ggod Id prospects of rapid success Admittedly any defense epen on some period before a showdown occurs But with a year to eighteen months I believe that a real Western European force could be created and be in effective operation Such a course would evoke much more enthusiastic support and energetic action from the Europeans than reliance on national armies and thereby reduce the time necessary or results 3 It may also be objected that this action would provoke Soviet aggression TOP ECRET DECLASSIFIED AmMqugh 3i gl Dl 3- #962 August 3 11 from Frankfort Soviet aggression But the Soviets will doubtless move in any case whenever it best suits their timetable resources and their Judgment as to the defense power of west This proposed program might affect that Judgment but that risk is inherent in any effective effort to improve the west European defense position Indeed without claiming to be able to predict Soviet reactions my own Judgment woul be that German participation in a European army is less likely to provoke the Soviets than would the creation of a German national army 6 Inevitably this course would imply profound effects on the position of Germany She could not be expected to furnish resources and men for a European army except as a substantial equal in Europe within a very limited time 7 We do not knov what attitude British might take to such a pragram but would expect they could support it as exten- sion of Western Union 03 should contribute its share of components and resources toward such an army I consider this matter of greatest urgency The proposed course seems to me the only possible way to develop the will and means for effective defense Time is essential gige strongly that US definitely back this course nes Am sending this message only to Department Advise if distribution to Bruce and Douglas desired MCC LOY NOTE Copy to Mr Byroade can 10 #o DECLASSIFIED I TOP This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu