TREATY SIGNED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 134, 18 March 1948, Page 5

TREATY SIGNED

Provision for Military Aid BRITAIN, FRANCE AND BENELUX NATIONS (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright). (Roc. 10 a.in.) LONDON, March 17. .Britain, Franco, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg hare signed a 50-yoar Treaty of Economic Co-operation and Military Aid. Other States may accede to it on agreed conditions.. The treaty provided that if armed attack in Europe should he made on any party to ilie treaty, the others will, m accordance with Article 51, of the United Nations Charter, afford all military aid. A permanent Consulative Council will be established, to be called for immediate consultation at the request of any party to the treaty. The preamble declared that the live nations are resolved to:— Reaffirm their faith in fundamental human rights. To fortify and preserve the principles of democracy, personal freedom. political liberty, rule of law and constitutional traditions which are their common heritage. To strengthen their economic, cultural and social ties. To co-operate loyally, and to coordinate efforts for the creation in Western Europe of a firm basis for European economic recovery. To take such steps as are necessary in the event of a renewal by Germany of a policy of aggression. • Article One says that the high contracting parties will organise and coordinate 1 lie*;- economic) activities, and will aid the work of the other economic organisations to which they belong. Cultural Exchanges Article II calls for common effort to attain a higher standard of living and consultation on social matters. Article 111 calls for cultural exchanges between the parties. Articles IV, V, VI, AMI and VIII deal with collective self-defence within i the framework of the United Nations’ Charter. Article IV says: “If any party should be the object of armed attack in Europe, the other parties will, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations’ Charter, afford the party .so attacked all military aid within their power.” Article V says that all measures taken as the result of Article IV shall immediately be reported to the Security Council, and shall be terminated as soon as the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Article VI declares that none of the contracting parties will conclude an alliance or participate in any coalition directed against any signatories to the treaty. Consultative Council Article VII provides for the creation of a Consultative Council to etxercise continuous functions. The Council could be convened at the request of any signatory nation in the event of Germany renewing an aggressive policy, in any situation constituting a threat to peace “in whatever area this threat should arise,” or in any situation constituting a danger to economic stability. Article VIII provides for reference of disputes between the parties themselves to the International Court of .Justice. Article IX says the high contracting parties may, by agreement, invite any other State, to accede to the present treaty on agreed conditions. - Other States may become parties by depositing an instrument of accession with the Belgian Government.

Article 10 says the treaty shall enter into force on the date of the deposit of the last instrument of ratification with the Belgian Government. • Alter a period of 50 years, each of the parties shall have the right to cease to be a party by giving a year’s notice.

“Shall Go Forward Together”

The Foreign Ministers of five countries' signed the treaty in Brussels this evening in the “Solemn Session Hall” of the Palace of Academies. The actual signing took only a few minutes. The live Foreign Ministers sat on armchairs arranged in a slight arc facing 200 seated reporters. Brussels radio quoted M. Bidault as saying: “The world has been waiting a very long time for this joint effort. We shall now go forward together.” M-Spaak said others one day might “rally to us to reinforce our task”

In the House of Commons Mr Attlee, announcing the pact, emphasised that the treaty was “directed against nobody.” He said the treaty was not based on self-interest and fear. It was an association of like-minded neighbours seeking closer and even spiritual integration based on the essential similarity of their civilisations.

Mr Churchill said he withheld final opinion until there was an opportunity of assuring himself that the Dominions’ position was in full harmony with what had been arranged. Treaty is Unique -

Mr Bevin, speaking at the signing of the treaty, said the treaty was unique. It was designed to ' benefit not only Europe but ultimately it would become the instrument of a world organisation for peace. ' M. Bidault said there was hardly a town or village or road from Paris to Brussels whose name was not also the name of a battle. “This tragedy has lasted long enough. We are here to put an end to it by all the means in our power. We are laying the corner-stone for European structure in the fields of economics and security. We are together from now on I hope for always.” The Dutch Foreign Minister, Baron Van Boetzelaer, said the treaty put an end to the possibility of remaining neutral if one of the signatories was attacked.