Letter from Valentin Iremonger to Seán Nunan (Washington DC) enclosingtwo letters from Seán MacBride to George Garrett

Dear Minister,
Mr. MacBride, Minister for External Affairs, has asked me to enclose herewith, for your personal information, copies of letters which he has sent to the American Minister concerning:-

• His proposed visit to the States,
• The North Atlantic Pact.

[enclosure 1]

My dear George,
The Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago and the Éire Society of Boston have been pressing me strongly to attend functions which they have organised at Easter time and I have agreed to go over. Both these are old established and important Irish Societies. They felt sore with me that I did not have time to address them when I was in the States last year.

It occurred to me that, while I am over there, it might be useful to have a talk with the Secretary of State concerning two matters:-

• Ireland's attitude in relation to participation in the Atlantic Pact, and
• The general European position.

As to the first of these two matters, I would welcome an opportunity of explain-ing personally and fully the reasons for Ireland's attitude. As you know, I am deeply convinced that a united and friendly Ireland should be the aim of Anglo-Irish relationship and that the concept of Atlantic co-operation provides a context wherein this could be achieved.

As to the second matter, you already know my views. I feel that to a certain extent, we are lacking in a fundamental approach to the whole problem.

Military preparations aimed at containing Russia are, no doubt, necessary but, in addition, and quite apart from these, it is necessary to build up the moral and economic fibre of Europe so that Europe herself will be able to withstand, on her own, the impact of Communism. Europe cannot continue for ever to live as an armed camp; nor, indeed, can the United States continue for ever to maintain vast military establishments in Europe and to subsidise the military establishments of all the west European countries.

These are necessary temporising measures, but a far more fundamental approach is required that will aim at giving the people of Europe an ideal round which they can rally and the necessary morale in support of that ideal.

Knowing Europe fairly well, and being able to look at the situation from a distance, I feel that my views might be worth considering. However, the Secretary of State may well be tied up with his very numerous and onerous duties, in which case I would not like to make a nuisance of myself. If, on the other hand, he were free, I should like any talks we have to be as informal as possible.

My actual plans are still vague, as I am very tired and need a few days rest. I am hoping to go by ship, leaving sometime after the 5th April. I am due in Chicago on the 18th.

[enclosure 2]

My dear George,
Since talking to you, I looked into the position regarding the publication of the statement concerning our position in relation to the Atlantic Pact.

When our Minister in Washington delivered our Aide Mémoire to the State Department,¹ he enquired, on instructions from this Department, as to the question of the publication of the text, and was informed that the text would not be released for publication except by agreement with us, but that if, as was to be anticipated, newsmen made enquiries, they would have to be told that we had been invited, and of our attitude. Our understanding in this Department was, therefore, that, whilst the official text was not to be released without prior consultation, press enquiries were to be answered; that is what we did.

As you know, newsmen, both here and in Washington had been 'on our doorstep' constantly to find out whether we had been invited and, if so, what our attitude would be. In those circumstances, an explanation of our viewpoint was inevitable. Furthermore, we were bound to be questioned in Parliament, as we in fact were, as to our attitude. For these reasons our representatives abroad were authorised to tell the press of our attitude.

We have not infrequently suffered from a wrong slant being given by London to our viewpoint. It was far better, in the circumstances, that we should set forth our own attitude ourselves; besides, we could not possibly refuse to inform our Parliament.

I am sorry there should have been any misunderstanding in the State Department as to this. I do not think that the statement issued by our Minister in Washington disclosed anything of a confidential nature.² Possibly the State Department do not appreciate that Ireland's attitude in relation to the Atlantic Pact may not be big news in the United States, but that it is top news here.