April 21, 1952
S/S
Mr. Lester B. Pearson and the Secretary talked this morning on the telephone. Mr. Pearson had called the Secretary to let him know he was here and the Secretary decided to speak to him.
Mr. Pearson asked whether there were any new developments on the appointment of a successor to General Eisenhower and the Secretary replied that he had nothing more to tell him than had been told Mr. Wrong last week. The conversation with Mr. Wrong involved the procedure for the appointment and the Secretary followed in his discussion a letter which Mr. Perkins sent General Draper. Mr. Pearson said he thought it important that the Council ask for a name after appropriate informal conversations had taken place. Mr. Acheson said he had no objection to this and thought that was fine.
Mr. Pearson asked whether the signing of the agreements in Germany, at which he understood Mr. Acheson would be present, was an appropriate place for a NATO meeting. He said that if the Secretary were there and final action had not been taken on the appointment of a successor to Eisenhower, it would be strange if no meeting were held. The Secretary replied that the whole matter would be buttoned up early in May and did not think this would require a meeting. He then said, however, that if we ran into trouble on EDC or related problems, we might want to schedule a meeting. The Secretary promised Mr. Pearson that if he saw any reason for wanting one, he would let him know.
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