BRUSSELS TREATY SIGNED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25447, 19 March 1948, Page 7

BRUSSELS TREATY SIGNED

Go-operation In War And Peace TEXT RELEASED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Hoc. 7 p.tn.) LONDON, March 17. Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have signed the 50-year treaty ot economic cooperation and military aid agreed on in Brussels last week. Other States may accede to it on agreed conditions. The treaty provides that if an armed attack in Europe should be made on any party to the treaty the other* will in accordance with Article 31 of the United Nations Charter afford all military aid. A permanent consultative council will be established, to be called in immediate consultation at the request of any party to the treaty. The preamble declares that the five nations are resolved to reaffirm their faltn in fundamental human rights; to fortify and preserve the principles ot democracy, personal freedom, political liberty, and the rule of law and constitutional traditions which are their common heritage; to strengthen their economic, cultural and social ties; to co-operate loyally and coordinate their 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 Article 1* say? that "the parties will organise and co-ordinate their economic activities and will aid the work of other economic organisations to which they belong. Article 2 calls for a common effort to attain a higher standard of living and consultation on social matters. Article 3 calls for cultural exchanges between the parties.

Military Obligations Article 4 says: “If any party should be the object of armed attack in Europe the other parties will, in accordance with Article 61 of the United Nations Charter, afford the party so attacked all military aid witnm their P °Article 5 says thit all ’measures taken as a result of Ar tide 4 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 6 says that none ot the contracting parties will conclude an alliance or participate in any coalition, directed against any signatories to the Article 7 provides for the creation of a consultative Coiincil to exercise 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 8 provides tor the reference of disputes between the parties themselves to the International Court of Justice. Article 9 says that the 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 that the treaty shall enter into force on the date of deposit of the last instrument of ratification with the Belgian Government After 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.

Dominions Kept informed “The Dominions Governments were kept fully informed of the progress of the negotiations for the Brussels treaty,” says the diplomatic correspondent of “The Times.” “They were given the text of the treaty last week, soon after it was completed. “Formal comments have not yet come from the Doriiinions, but there is no doubt that they recognise the need for a treaty which so clearly underwrites Western Europe's security. “The decline in International relations is measured by the difference between the British-French Dunkirk Treaty, which provided only for defensive action against Germany, and the five-Power treaty just concluded.” The correspondent adds that some of the negotiators thought that the proposed consultative council might duplicate the 16-nation conference organisation in economic work, but the five nations have special bonds as neighbours and there is no guarantee that the 16-nation organisation will outlive the Marshall Plan period.