Final Communiques issued at Ministerial Meetings of the North Atlantic Council

North Atlantic Council
First Session, September 17, 1949, Washington
Final Communique

The Council established by Article 9 of the North Atlantic Treaty held its first session in Washington on September 17, 1949. Representatives of the Parties to the Treaty attending this first session were: For Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Paul van Zeeland; for Canada, the Secretary of State for External Affairs, Mr. Lester B. Pearson; for Denmark, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gustav Basmussen; for France, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Robert Schuman; for Iceland, the Minister to the United States, Mr. Thor Thors; for Italy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Sforza; for Luxembourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Josef Bech; for the Netherlands, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dirk U. Stikker; for Norway, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Halvard M. Lange; for Portugal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jose Caeiro da Matta; for the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ernest Bevin; for the United States, the Secretary of State, Mr. Dean Acheson.

The task of the Council is to assist the Parties in implementing the Treaty and particularly in attaining its basic objective. That objective is to assist, in accordance with the Charter, in achieving the primary purpose of the United Nations -the maintenance of international peace and security. The Treaty is designed to do so by making clear the determination of the Parties collectively to preserve their common heritage of freedom and to defend themselves against aggression while emphasising at the same time their desire to live in peace with all governments and all peoples.

It is in this spirit that the Foreign Ministers of the Parties have met in Washington and have taken steps to implement the Treaty. The meetings of the Council showed that all Parties are united in their resolve to integrate their efforts for the promotion of lasting peace, the preservation of their common heritage and the strengthening of their common defence.

The main purpose of the Council during this first session was to provide for its own future operation and, in accordance with Article 9, to establish a Defence Committee and such other subsidiary bodies as are deemed necessary to assist the Council in considering matters concerning the implementation of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Organisation

The Council is the principal body in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In accordance with the Treaty, the Council is charged with the responsibility of considering all matters concerning the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty. Such subsidiary bodies as are set up under Article 9 of the Treaty are subordinate to the Council.

The organization established under the North Atlantic Treaty should be operated with as much flexibility as possible and be .subject to review from time to time. The establishment of this machinery does not preclude the use of other means for consultation and co-operation between any or all of the Parties on matters relating to the Treaty.

Council

As regards its own organization, the Council agreed as follows:
As decided on April 2, the Council will normally be composed of Foreign Ministers. Should the latter be unable to attend, their places shall be taken by plenipotentiary representatives designated by the Parties. To enable the Council to meet promptly at any time the diplomatic representatives in Washington of the Parties shall be empowered to act as their Governments' representatives whenever necessary.

Terms of Reference The North Atlantic Treaty shall constitute the terms of reference of the Council.

Time and Frequency of Sessions

The Council shall be convened by the Chairman and shall meet in ordinary session annually and at such other times as may be deemed desirable by the majority of the Parties. Extraordinary sessions under Articles 4 and 5 of the Treaty may be called at the request of any Party invoking one of these Articles.

Location of the Council Sessions

The location of each session of the Council shall be determined by the Chairman after consultation with the other members of the Council. For general convenience the ordinary annual session should normally be held at about the same time and in the same general geographical area as the annual session of the General Assembly. Other ordinary sessions should whenever practicable be held at some convenient location in Europe.

Chairmanship

Chairmanship shall be held in turn by the Parties according to the alphabetical order in the English language beginning with the United States. Each Party shall hold office from the beginning of the one ordinary annual session until the appointment of the new Chairman at the following ordinary annual session. If any Party does not wish to accept the Chairmanship, it shall pass to the next Party in alphabetical order.

Languages

English and French shall be the official languages for the entire North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Permanent Co-ordination

Additional political bodies shall not be established unless and until experience has demonstrated their need. However, the existing informal arrangement for consultation between representatives in Washington of the Parties shall be maintained.

Defence Committee

The Council established a Defence Committee.

The Council reaffirmed that ensuring the security of the North Atlantic area is a primary objective of the North Atlantic Treaty and is vital to the security of each of the Parties. It is therefore of paramount importance that the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help, and mutual aid, maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack. The Defence Committee should therefore immediately take the requisite steps to have drawn up unified defence plans for the North Atlantic area.

As regards the organization of the Defence Committee, the Council agreed as follows:

The Defence Committee will be composed of one representative from each Party. These representatives will normally be Defence Ministers. In any case where this is not possible, another representative may be designated.

Terms of Reference

The Defence Committee shall recommend measures for the implementation of Articles 3 and 5 in accordance with general policy guidance given by the Council.

Time and Frequency of Sessions

The Defence Committee shall be convened by the Chairman and shall meet in ordinary session annually and at such other times as it may be requested to meet by the Council or as as may be deemed desirable by the majority of the members of the Defence Committee.

Location

The location of each session of the Defence Committee shall be determined by the Chairman in consultation with the members of the Committee.

Chairmanship

Chairmanship shall be held in turn by the Parties according to the alphabetical order in the English language beginning with the United States. Each Party shall hold the office from the beginning of one ordinary annual session until the appointment of the new Chairman at the following ordinary annual session. If any Party does not wish to accept the Chairmanship, it shall pass to the next Party in alphabetical order.

The Council suggested to the Defence Committee the general outline of those subsidiary military bodies which it considered appropriate for the task of aiding the Defence Committee in recommending measures for the implementation of Articles 3 and 5 of the Treaty. The Defence Committee was invited, among other things, to consider the question of these subsidiary bodies in detail and to elaborate on the general provisions suggested by the Council for each body.
The Council suggested in general terms that the military organization should include the following:

Military Committee

The Defence Committee should establish a Military Committee composed of one military representative from each Party. These representatives should be Chiefs-of-Staff or their representatives. (Iceland, having no military establishment, may, if it so desires, be represented by a civilian official.)

Terms of Reference

The Military Committee should:
provide general policy guidance of a military nature to its Standing Group;
advise the Defence Committee and other agencies on military matters as appropriate;

recommend to the Defence Committee military measures for the unified defence of the North Atlantic area.

Location The Military Committee should normally meet in Washington.

Standing group

In order to facilitate the rapid and efficient conduct of the work of the Military Committee, there should be set up a sub-committee of that body to be known as the 'Standing Group'. The Standing Group should be composed of one representative each of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Terms of Reference

The Standing Group, in accordance with general policy guidance provided by the Military Committee, should provide such specific policy guidance and information of a military nature to the Regional Planning Groups and any other bodies of the organization as is necessary for their work.

To achieve the unified defence of the North Atlantic area, the Standing Group should co-ordinate and integrate the defence plans originating in the Regional Planning Groups, and should make appropriate recommendations thereon to the Military Committee.

The Standing Group should recommend to the Military Committee those matters on which the Standing Group should be authorised to take action in the name of the Military Committee within the framework of approved policy.
It is recognised that it is the responsibility of individual governments to provide for the implementation of plans to which they have agreed. It is further recognised that it is the primary responsibility of the Regional Planning Groups to prepare plans for the defence of then- respective regions. Subject to these principles, it is understood that before the Standing Group makes recommendations on any plan or course of action involving use offerees, facilities, or resources of a Party not represented on the Standing Group, going beyond or differing from arrangements previously agreed by the Party concerned, the Party should have the right to participate in the Standing Group in the work of formulating such recommendations. It is also understood that when communicating their regional plans to the Standing Group, the Regional Planning Groups should be entitled to have their plans presented and explained by any one of their members and not necessarily by a member of the Standing Group.

Time and Frequency of Sessions The Standing Group should be so organized as to function continuously.

Location

The permanent site of the Standing Group should be in Washington.
Permanent Representation

In order to maintain close contact with the Standing Group, a Party not represented thereon may appoint a special representative to provide permanent liaison with the Standing Group.

Regional Planning Groups

In order to ensure speedy and efficient planning of the unified defence of the whole North Atlantic area there should be established Regional Planning Groups on a geographical basis. It should be provided that:

1. Before any Regional Planning Group makes any recommendations affecting the defence of the territory or involving the use of forces, facilities, or resources of any Party not a member of that Group, that Party should have the right to participate in the Group in the work of formulating such recommendations.
2. Any Group which considers that a Party not a member of the Group can contribute to the defence planning of that Group's region, can call upon that Party to join in the planning as appropriate.

Composition Northern European Regional Planning Group

Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

The United States has been requested and has agreed to participate actively in the defence planning as appropriate.

Other Parties may participate under the provisions listed above.

Western European Regional Planning Group

Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Canada and the United States have been requested and have agreed to participate actively in the defence planning as appropriate. Other Parties may, and particularly Denmark and Italy will, participate under the provisions listed above

Southern European-Western Mediterranean Regional Planning Group

France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The United States has been requested and has agreed to participate actively in the defence planning as appropriate.

Other Parties may participate under the provisions listed above. It is recognised that there are problems which are clearly common to the defence of the areas covered by the three European regional groups. It is therefore important that arrangements be made by the Defence Committee with a view to ensuring full co-operation between two, or if the need arises, all three groups.

Canadian-United States Regional Planning Group

Canada and the United States.

Other Parties may participate under the provisions listed above.

North Atlantic Ocean Regional Planning Group

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The responsibilities for planning the defences in the North Atlantic Ocean cannot be shared equally by all members of the Group. On the other hand, these responsibilities can to some extent be divided along functional lines and allocated to those Parties who are best able to perform the respective defence functions. Therefore, the North Atlantic Ocean Regional Planning Group, when it meets, should establish a series of planning sub-groups related to specific functions of defence. The Group should determine on which sub-group or sub-groups each Party should sit, and the arrangements necessary to ensure co-ordination between these sub-groups in the interest of speedy and effective planning.

Terms of Reference

Each Regional Planning Group should:
develop and recommend to the Military Committee through the Standing Group plans for the defence of the region; co-operate with the other Regional Planning Groups with a view to eliminating conflict in, and ensuring harmony among, the various regional plans.

Location

The Defence Committee should consider the question of the location of the Regional Planning Groups.

The Council recognises that the question of military production and supply is an integral part of the whole problem of the defence of the North Atlantic area. Consequently, there shall be established as soon as possible appropriate machinery to consider these matters. The details of organization of this machinery, terms of reference, etc. shall be studied forthwith by a working group which shall submit recommendations to the Defence Committee or to the Council.

The Council recognises the importance of economic and financial factors in the development and implementation of military plans for the defence of the North Atlantic area. Consequently, there shall be established as soon as possible appropriate machinery to consider these matters. The details of organization of this machinery, terms of reference, etc. shall be studied forthwith by a working group which shall submit recommendations to the Council.

Second Session, November 18, 1949, Washington
Final Communique

The North Atlantic Council convened today in Washington in its second session. The Council considered and approved a report of the Working Group on the establishment of a 'Defence Financial and Economic Committee' under the North Atlantic Treaty as follows:

Defence Financial and Economic Committee

In accordance with the decision of the North Atlantic Council on September 17, 1949, and in further implementation of Article 9 of the Treaty, there is hereby established a Defence Financial and Economic Committee. It shall be responsible for advising the Council on the financial and economic aspects of measures for the defence of the North Atlantic area.

The following general provisions shall govern the operation of the Defence Financial and Economic Committee:

1. The Defence Financial and Economic Committee shall be composed of a representative at a Ministerial or similarly high level of responsibility from each signatory country. It shall report directly to the North Atlantic Council. It shall consult with the Defence Committee as appropriate.

2. The Committee and any subordinate bodies which it may set up shall establish and maintain close working relations with the North Atlantic military organization, and particularly the Military Production and Supply Board.
The Committee or its subordinate bodies shall provide them with guidance on all relevant economic and financial factors; shall obtain from them information on those requirements of defence programmes which are relevant to the consideration of economic and financial questions; and shall provide them with guidance on financial and economic arrangements to meet the requirements of defence programmes.

3. The Defence Financial and Economic Committee is in particular responsible to the North Atlantic Council for the performance of the following functions, having regard for the principle of self-help and mutual aid in the field of military production and supply, and for the primary importance of economic recovery and continued economic stability:

(a) To develop in co-operation with the Military Committee (including the Standing Group) and the Military Production and Supply Board overall financial and economic guides to and limits of future defence programmes, including military production programmes, which North Atlantic Treaty countries as a group and individually should undertake within available financial and economic resources.

(b) To appraise the financial and economic impact on member countries of major individual defence projects formulated by the Military Production and Supply Board or the Military Committee (including the Standing Group), including consideration of financing problems and availability of raw materials, capital equipment, and manpower, and, on the basis of such review, make recommendations as to action on such projects

© To recommend financial arrangements for executing military defence plans, and particularly financial arrangements for the interchange among North Atlantic Treaty countries of military equipment, surplus stocks, or materials and equipment to be used in producing military equipment.

(d) To measure and to recommend steps to meet the foreign exchange costs of imports of materials and equipment from non-member countries required by defence programmes under the North Atlantic Treaty.

(e) To consider, as may be found desirable and appropriate, plans for the mobilisation of economic and financial resources in time of emergency.

4. The Committee may delegate to any Regional Defence Financial and Economic Committee which may be established by the governments of a Region any of its functions which, in its judgement, can be better performed by regional committees. Actions of regional committees under such delegations shall be under the general guidance of, and in accordance with the general policies laid down by the North Atlantic Committee, and shall be subject to its co-ordination and review.

5. The Committee shall provide itself with such subordinate bodies and staff assistance as may be necessary to carry out its functions. In particular, there shall be a permanent working staff in London, composed of qualified personnel representing interested countries to carry on the day-to-day work of the Committee and to which the Committee may delegate such of its functions as it deems appropriate. The Committee shall have a Secretary, with suitable assistance, to perform the secretarial and administrative functions.

6. The Committee shall meet at such times and places as shall be required. Its secretariat and working staff shall be located in London. The Committee shall decide its own rules of procedure. Chairmanship shall be held in turn by the Parties according to the alphabetical order in the English language beginning with the United States. Each Party shall hold the office for one year. If any Party does not wish to accept the Chairmanship, it shall pass to the next party in
alphabetical order.

The Council took note of and approved the action of the Defence Committee in establishing a 'Military Production and Supply Board'. The Military Production and Supply Board has already met in London in its first session and has initiated a work programme which was summarised in a communiqué issued in London on November 2.

The directive issued by the Defence Committee in establishing the Military Production and Supply Board, and approved by the Council, is as follows:
North Atlantic Defence Committee Directive to the Military Production and Supply Board

In accordance with the decision of the North Atlantic Council on September 17, 1949, and in furtherance of Article 9 of the Treaty, there is hereby established a Military Production and Supply Board.

The following general provisions shall govern the operation of the North Atlantic Military Production and Supply Board:

1. The North Atlantic Military Production and Supply Board shall be composed of a representative at the sub-ministerial level from each signatory country. It shall report directly to the Defence Committee.

2. The Board shall establish and maintain close working relations with the appropriate military bodies set up under the Defence Committee. It shall look to them for information on military requirements and work with them to insure that, insofar as feasible, the military production and procurement programme supports defence plans effectively. The Board shall also work in close co-ordination with the military bodies on the promotion of standardisation of parts and end products of military equipment, and provide them with technical advice on the production and development of new or improved weapons. To facilitate the fullest co-operation and exchange of information between them on matters of joint interest, the Board shall establish and direct a suitably representative liaison group on a working level in Washington to work with the Standing Group.

3. The Board shall maintain close working relations with the finance and economic machinery to be established by the Council, and look to it for guidance on all relevant economic and financial factors.

4. The North Atlantic Military Production and Supply Board is responsible to the Defence Committee for the performance of the following functions, having regard for the principle of self-help and mutual aid in the field of military production and supply.

(a) The review of the military supply situation on the basis of data to be secured from the appropriate military bodies on military material requirements and on the current availability of military material to meet such requirements.

(b) The recommendation to the Defence Committee of ways and means of increasing available supplies where they fall short of requirements, either from production, surplus equipment or equipment economically capable of rehabilitation. In preparing such recommendations, account shall be taken of strategic factors, of physical capabilities of individual countries to produce military material, of the importance of securing maximum efficiency and integration of production, and of the guidance furnished by the finance and economic machinery with respect to financial and economic considerations.

© The promotion of more efficient methods of producing military equipment and of the standardisation of parts and end products of military equipment, including conservation in the use of strategic and critical materials, and including advice to the appropriate military bodies on the production problems involved in proposed new weapons or modifications in existing weapons.

5. The Board may delegate to any Regional Supply Board which may be established by the governments of a Region any of its functions which in its judgement, can be better performed by regional boards. Actions of regional boards under such delegations shall be under the general guidance of and in accordance with the general policies laid down by the North Atlantic Board, and shall be subject to its coordination and review.

6. The Board shall provide itself with such subordinate bodies and staff assistance as may be necessary to carry out its functions. In particular, there shall be, in addition to the liaison group in Washington, referred to in paragraph 2, a permanent working staff in London, composed of qualified personnel representing interested countries, to carry on the day-to-day work of the Board. The Board shall have a Secretary, with suitable assistance, to perform secretarial and administrative functions.

7. The Board shall meet at such times and places as may be required. Its secretariat and working staff shall be located in London. The Board shall decide its own rules of procedure. Chairmanship shall be held in turn by the parties according to the alphabetical order in the English language beginning with the United States. Each Party shall hold the office for one year. If any party does not wish to accept the Chairmanship, it is passed to the next Party in alphabetical order.