Press Communiqué North Atlantic Council Paris 23rd-25th Apr 1953

Final Communiqué Chairman: Lord Ismay, Secretary General of NATO. Synopsis Adoption of short- and long-term goals for NATO forces and of a three-year cost-sharing formula for infrastructure - Correlation of production programs - Exchange of views on political subjects - Collective defence policy reaffirmed.

The North Atlantic Council, meeting in Paris in Ministerial Session with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economics and Finance present, and under the Chairmanship of Lord Ismay, completed their work today. The Council agreed on short and long-term programs for NATO. They established a firm military program for 1953 and a provisional program for 1954. In addition to the forces which Greece and Turkey are contributing, there will be a notable in- crease in the size of the forces assigned to NATO Supreme Commanders and a considerable improvement in their effectiveness. Training is being greatly improved at all levels. The series of large-scale maneuvers held during the last year has appreciably raised the standard of co-operation of the forces of the member countries; units are being better equipped and the organization of support forces is developing. The NATO military authorities consider that the attainment of the force goals in 1953, and the combined influence of these various factors, will add materially to the defensive strength of NATO during 1953. Agreement was reached not only on the common financing of the second part ( 67,000,000) to the Fourth Slice of the Infrastructure Program (the first part to the amount of about 80,000,000 having been settled at a Ministerial Meeting in December), but also on a cost-sharing formula which would cover future programs to be submitted by the Supreme Commanders for the three-year period beginning in 1954, involving expenditure of up to 250,000,000, subject to the approval of Parliaments. These programs will include a wide range of projects such as airfields, telecommunications, naval bases and port facilities, pipe-lines and radar installations. The military authorities of NATO now have a financial planning figure to which they can work for over three years. In addition, an improved system is ready to be put into operation to ensure closer financial supervision over the expenditure of common infrastructure funds. The Council gave close attention to various economic and financial factors affecting the rate of expansion of the defence efforts. It was agreed that the development of sound national economies and the increase of military forces should be pursued concurrently; in certain fields the establishment of long-term joint military production programs appeared to be the least costly and the most efficient solution. It was on these lines that the Member Governments and the International Staff developed a method for preparing correlated production programs. The object of this is both to ensure that the defence production undertaken by European countries within their own budgets is on the most economic lines and to make defence production in Europe more effective. The participation of the United States, through off-shore procurement, adds to the contribution of the European countries and plays a very important part in these achievements. The additional fighter aircraft production program, which has recently been announced, is a first important result of this. It will facilitate the expansion of the aircraft industries in five European countries while at the same time strengthening the air defence capacity of the Alliance. Other programs are being considered. NATO is also studying the means of developing production in Europe of spare parts for the maintenance of equipment of American and Canadian origin. The Secretary General's Progress Report to the Council stressed the close collaboration between the civilian and military agencies of NATO, and outlined the current work of the International Staff. It emphasized the importance of developing a better public understanding of the aims and achievements of NATO, a matter to which Governments should give their constant attention. The Report described the progress made in the many and varied technical studies by Committees of the Council in a number of widely different fields, such as civil defence and other aspects of civil organization in time of war. In the course of discussion on the Report, the Council re-emphasized their interest in the NATO countries' co-operation in the economic, cultural and social fields. They noted with satisfaction the initiative taken by the President of the United States of America, recently announced, with a view to fostering the solution of overpopulation problems in certain countries. The Council continued their regular practice of exchanging views on political matters of common concern. In reviewing the international situation they were in full agreement. This agreement included their estimate of the recent Soviet moves and gestures. To the extent that these moves and gestures are proved by events to be genuine efforts to reduce international tension, they will be welcomed by Member Governments, whose policy has always been to seek every opportunity for world peace. Nevertheless, the Council found that there had not yet in fact been any change in the fundamental threat to the security of free peoples. The most striking evidence of this continuing threat is the huge and constantly strengthened military force maintained by those nations whose policies have been responsible for the present tension, and who are still promoting aggressive war in several parts of the world. The most recent example is the extension of hostilities in Laos. This serious development has increased the burden of France in the struggle against aggression and has given rise to deep concern on the part of other Member Governments. The Council, therefore, reaffirmed the policy of collective defence which has proved fully justified, and which has been responsible for the growing confidence of the free world in the future. The Council felt that there was every prospect that this policy, continued with firmness and patience, will create a basis for a just settlement of unresolved international problems. The Council considered it essential that Member Governments should continue to develop the free Atlantic Community which should include a European Defence Community to be established as soon as possible in an ever more closely united Europe. The Council reaffirmed their fundamental desire to build for peace. They looked forward to the day when a greater share of the resources of their countries would be devoted to national and international reconstruction and development. Convinced that in unity lies their greatest strength, they are resolved to broaden co-operation in every field, economic, political and social, as well as military, and so to make the Atlantic Community a lasting reality.