Bilderberg Steering Committee Memo (5 March 1959)
Coudert Brothers
March 5, 1959
Mr. Joseph E. Johnson
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
United Nations Plaza at 46th Street
New York, New York
Re: Bilderberg
Dear Joe:
May I take the opportunity of our forthcoming meeting on March 21 in Belgium to raise some points designed to clarify and strengthen the usefulness of the Bilderberg conferences.
There is no need to review the many reasons for supporting the Bilderberg approach as a means of improving understanding between Free Europe and the United States of important issues. It is my belief that there is a general appreciation of the usefulness of Biderberg conferences both on the European and the American sides.
At the same time the handling of the conferences has left much to be desired.
The principal criticisms have, in the United States, been directed at the so-called “Expanded Steering Committee meetings” and at the frequency of conferences.
From the standpoint of the Americans, it is very awkward to have to plan on three or more meetings a year in Europe, partlcularly for busy members who cannot readily adjust their programs to attend meetings in Europe on these occasions.
The usefulness of theae meetings is furthermore places in some doubt by the very fact of an unpredictable attendence.
To correct this situation, which endangers the future of Bilderberg, I suggest you canvass the American members of the Steering Committee on the following suggestions:
