https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/a5e8cef5e11752725e5faf9b9a718281.pdf 5fd44fd644cfb5ae08c6c7033c8029bb PDF Text Text r Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur l'acces a /'information f 50115-6-40.” 3/K DEFENCE LIAISON (1) DIVISION SECRET March 3, 1959 MIDDLE EASTERN/E.R. RETTIE/IM NATO PARIS TEL. 2181 OF SEPTEMBER 12,1958 POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF NATO MANOEUVRES We are somewhat puzzled about the present position in NATO on the question of political implications of NATO exercises. Our Delegation’s telegram under reference, in paragraph 4, indicates that we have not succeeded in placing unequivocally on the record our vieu that the question of the responsibility for ascertaining political implications of NATO manoeuvres and exercises should rest squarely on the NATO political organs rather than on the NATO military authorities. The position which our Delegation has assumed is that, "in practice", informal contacts between the Secretary-General and the military authorities will take care of the need to ensure that undesirable political implications do not arise. Neverthe less, the Delegation itself demonstrates that there is considerable doubt whether we can rely on such an arrangement, because in paragraph 7 of its telegram under reference, the Delegation has to infer whether thought has been given to the political implications of the "CRESCENT HINGE" operation rather than provide us with a firm indication whether action has been taken to consider its political implications. 2. While we are conscious of the Delegation’s desire to avoid "treading on Standing Group’s sensibilities" or "forfeiting the ready co-operation of General Norstad" (paragraph 20 of our Delegation’s letter No. 4196 of August 29, 1958), we think the question of political implications of manoeuvres and exercises is too serious, particularly in relation to the constant possibility of unfortunate repercussions in the Middle East, to leave the question in any doubt. Accordingly, we would once . ..2. 000880 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi surl'acces a /'information e i * 2 - more recommend that our Delegation seek an early opportunity to state our position clearly. In our view, it would be irregular to allow Standing Group sensibilities to dictate an abdication of responsibility on the part of the Political Advisers’ Committee and the Council, We have seen no evidence, in the attitude of the military authorities towards two important exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean, "RED EPOCH” and "MEDFLEX PORT”, that they are in a position to assess the political implications outside the alliance of the military activities which they have conducted. As you properly pointed out in your letter, DL05 of August 20, 1958, it is very difficult to accept SHAPE’S bland assertion of an absence of political implications in the "MEDFLEX FORT" operation, and it would seem to be a dangerous relaxation of the normal principle of political control to leave the arrangements for the political review of manoeuvres and exercises in the present ambiguous state. Signed by E. R. RETTE Middle Eastern Division 000881 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource CDEX (NATO Exercises) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CDEX00469 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived RG25, 50115-G-40, "North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Military, naval and air exercises," Part 3, Library and Archives Canada. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Exercises Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource en