sisenhower: rapers, (Ann Whitman file) iyps-oL There will also be discussion of Fella's suggestion for a NATO fund to provide essistance to the underdeveloped areas of the Middle East. There are certain features in Pella's proposal which we do not like, notably repayment in local currencies; but we may agree on some plan which would provide that help to underdeveloped countries should be undertaken through a multilateral approach. We may even vent to set up a new mechanism for this purpose, although there are a lot of multilateral mechanisms already in existence which can serve the purpose. Lastly, there would undoubtedly be a discussion of disarmament. In this field the United States proposed to re-affirm the proposals which it made last May, coupling this with an indication of some measure of greater flexibility. Secretary Dulles concluded by stressing that the main inportance of the meeting would arise from the presence et it of Fresident Eisenhower. This should in itself provide a rejuvenation of NATO, which clearly needed it in many instances, notebly in the case of rrence, which ves a very weak partner indeed in the IATO alliance and caused us all a great deal of anxiety. Secretary Dulles thought that the Gaillard regime might fall at any moment and possibly confront the French with a Hobson's choice between a Gaullist regime on the one hand and a populer front of left-wing varties on the other. Apropos of these remarks, the President said that one wes alnost compelled to teke a strong attitude toward France. Chenging his thought, the President wondered whether, at the open neeting at 12 noon on Nend2y, we should not ewohesize a peace move and a disalreament move as a means of indiceting our peaceful intentions. the National Security Council: Noted and discussed an oral report by the Secretary of REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY State on the fortheaning NATO meeting. ~ -4 ? UMMAatcsith Rs atenn hsatabe obntoncomFE te a tee TOP SECHSI ee