Examination of US Proposal – Satellite Communications System
At the NAC meeting on 5 October 1966, the subject was considered under Item V of the Agenda (Ref A). The Secretary General opened the discussion by recalling Ref (B) and pointed out that the group should be able to call upon the services of existing NATO groups, agencies, or authorities who may be working in the field of satellites. He suggested the group should hold its first meeting before the end of the month at the call of its chairman, who he suggested would be the Executive Secretary if the Council agrees.
Italian Perm Rep stated he had no instructions; nevertheless, he stated he would like permanent representatives to be in close contact with the group in order to facilitate the solution of important questions of principle which might occur.
UK Perm Rep stated he could agree to Ref (B); however, he expressed concern about the creation of two senior committees. He said that maybe only one group could be re-established, being given first an interim function. Secretary General replied it was the intention that there would not be co-existence of two committees, but that the interim one should later be converted to the permanent one.
Netherlands Perm Rep stated he could agree to Ref (B); he suggested two points. First, he suggested that para 4 be amended by adding after the inner quote “Ambassador Cleveland” the following words: “and such other data as might be made available by delegations.” Second, he raised the points of Netherlands units being stationed outside the NATO area at Curacao and Surinam and that it would be helpful if satellite communications could be established with these units. Secretary General replied that this could be considered.
German Perm Rep stated he had no instructions; however, he expressed serious concern about the first sentence of para 3 (Ref B) since he felt that difficulties would certainly occur with respect to national internal organization. He suggested deleting the whole sentence.
Belgian Perm Rep commented on statements made and agreed with Netherlands Perm Rep that data made available by delegations should be taken into consideration. He also agreed that there should not be duplication of committees and felt the committee should not be composed of technicians but politicians having authority to speak for their government.
Norwegian Perm Rep stated he could agree to Ref (B) provided the recommendation of UK Perm Rep against proliferation of NATO groups be taken into consideration.
Turkish Perm Rep stated that his country was very much interested in the satellite communications program and was prepared to participate in any study and work on this matter. He stressed, however, that he reserved his position as far as the financial aspect was concerned and he felt that the financial situation of Turkey and maybe some other countries would be taken into consideration.
Greek Perm Rep could agree to Ref (B); he mentioned, however, that the Armaments Committee had already set up a group of experts on satellite communications and he wondered if there was not any kind of duplication. Secretary General answered that the group mentioned by the Greek Perm Rep had been given only a limited technical and military task; there was no duplication and the senior committee could rely upon the services of that group.
Action: NAMILCOM DISTR + USLO SACLANT NATO UNCLASSIFIED – Approved for Public Disclosure.
UK Perm Rep came back to the first sentence of para 3 and proposed a new wording as follows: “This would be a high-level group consisting of representatives who would be able, under the authority of Perm Reps, to handle all aspects of the problem.” This was unanimously agreed.
Luxembourg Perm Rep could agree to Ref (B); he stated, however, that his country had not yet taken any decision as far as its participation was concerned.
Secretary General summed up the discussion by stating that the report Ref (B) was approved subject to confirmation by Germany and Italy and that the amendments to paras 3 and 4 as suggested by UK and Netherlands Perm Reps would be incorporated.
Italian Perm Rep finally stated that, in light of the discussion, he was in a position to lift his initial reservation.
Action: NAMILCOM DISTR + USLO SACLANT – Approved for Public Disclosure.