FRANCE WILL SIGN THE ATLANTIC PACT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14929, 17 March 1949, Page 3

FRANCE WILL SIGN THE ATLANTIC PACT

Solving Differences Of Policy Over German Reparations TURKEY KEEN TO SAFEGUARD PEACE IN MEDITERRANEAN London, March 16. France has announced her decision to sign the Atlantic Pact This was announced tonight after the French Cabinet had heard a statement from the Foreign Minister, M. Schuman, about the decisions taken yesterday by the five Western Union Powers at the meeting oi the Council cf Europe in London. Ihe French decision will be sent to Washington as soon as possible. Early today, before leaving for Paris, M. Schuman saw Mr Bevm at tne Foreign Office in London. Together with the U.S. Ambassador, Mr Lewis Douglas, discussions were continued on outstanding differences in the policies of Great Britain and America regarding German reparations.

A diplomatic correspondent says that according to reports from Paris, the French would prefer all outstanding problems to be discussed at a conference between the foreign ministers of Great Britain, France and the United States. And this might take place while Mr Bevin and M. Schuman are in Washington early next month for the signing of the Atlantic Pact.

The Turkish Foreign Minister told the National Assembly that Turkey was continuing negotiations in the United States to find out what measures could be adopted to safeguard peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. He said there was no question of Turkey joining the Atlantic Pact. He believed that building a defence pact within the United Nations Charter could be extended to other nations but he said that no decision had yet been taken.