DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: July 28, 1952
SUBJECT:
PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Hans Hedtoft The Secretary of State
Also present: Mr. Henrik de Kauffmann, Danish Ambassador Mr. Bonbright, EUR
COPIES TO: S/S, BNA, RA
In the course of my conversation with Mr. Hedtoft today, he himself brought up the subject of NATO and the stationing of foreign troops on Danish soil. Mr. Hedtoft admitted that at the outset he had personally been against the Atlantic Pact idea and would have preferred for his country the conclusion of a Scandinavian Pact. He attributed this feeling primarily to two reasons. The first was the deep-seated and traditional feeling that the Scandinavians should hold together. The second was that of the three Scandinavian countries, the Swedes had the most effective military strength and were in the strongest position to defend the area. He went on to say, however, that this was past history and that, as I knew, he and his party had wholeheartedly supported the North Atlantic Treaty.
Turning to the question of base rights Mr. Hedtoft stated that at the time the North Atlantic Treaty was concluded the Danes took the position publicly that no foreign troops would be stationed on Danish soil. He pointed out that at the same time the Norwegians had taken the same position and had even gone a step further in that they had formally communicated their views to the Soviet government.
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Mr. Hedtoft said that the Danes now feel that they and the Norwegians should move ahead together on this problem. Unfortunately, just as the Danes were revising their views press indications are that the Norwegians are beginning to pull back. He said that a little while ago the Norwegians were saying that the Danes should lead the way and the Norwegians would follow. Now the Norwegian press is going even further in saying that no foreign troops should be stationed in Scandinavia in view of their exposed position vis-Ã -vis the Russians. Mr. Hedtoft felt that unfortunately this latest line in the Norwegian press accurately reflects the attitude of the Norwegian Government and he expressed keen disappointment in Norwegian Foreign Minister Lange. He inquired whether we had any new information on this subject. I said that I had not seen any since my return.
Dean Acheson
EUIR:JCHBonbright:bsm