Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1951 - 1952 (Creation)
Level of description
Sub-series
Extent and medium
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Standing Group (hereinafter referred to as the SG) had an internal structure of technical and consultative committees (see SGM-1702-53). The International Planning Team (IPT) was one of these. Under its terms of reference, established on 11 March 1957 (SGWM-175-57), the IPT consisted of three national teams, one for each nation represented in the SG (France, the United Kingdom and the United States). Each national team was in turn divided into three cells. The functions of each cell were determined by their nation. Their field of activity was always the same. The IPT's mission was to study and make proposals to the SG on a wide range of issues: -military (strategy, defence planning, force assessment, annual review, training) -administrative (organization of SG agencies, personnel management, etc). The IPT worked under the instructions of the SG (communicated by the SG secretariat in the form of a directive). This directive was first discussed by the secretariat and the delegations of the three IPT nations. It was then passed to one of these nations. The subject of study could be dealt with permanently or on a case-by-case basis. When appropriate, the IPT could consult the Military Representatives Committee (MRC) and work together with other technical or consultative committees of the SG. The IPT could suggest a new subject of study to the Steering Committee or the Standing Group. It reported to the SG and also kept the SG secretariat and the MRC informed.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The IPT met at the level of national representatives about once a week, usually at the SG headquarters. IPT meetings were attended by the Chairman (French, British or American by turns), three representatives (one for each IPT nation), military personnel invited for the specific subject under discussion (often from the MRC) and the IPT Secretary. The MEMO(IPT) documents are the decision sheets of these meetings.
More specifically, the MEMO(IPT) documents deal with the implications of the accession to NATO of Greece and Turkey and the division of roles between SACEUR and the regional commanders in the event of war.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The documents issued by the SG and its subordinate groups fall into four categories: Documents, Memoranda, Decision Sheets/Records, and Messages.
The MEMO(IPT) documents are called memoranda, but in fact they are IPT meeting decision sheets. They do not have a reference.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
NATO publicly disclosed information is available for research and education purposes. Any commercial use requires the written permission of NATO. Please credit the NATO Archives should any documents be used for publication. Guidelines for the proper citation of NATO publicly disclosed information can be found on the NATO Archives website (http://www.nato.int/archives).
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The MEMO(IPT) documents were issued in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
For more information, see also notice D/SECY(IPT).