WEST EUROPEAN UNION

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25483, 1 May 1948, Page 7

WEST EUROPEAN UNION

TALKS IN LONDON AND BRUSSELS

DEFENCE AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION (Rec. 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. “The best prospect of reaching an understanding with Russia lies m showing her that the Western European countries are ready and capable of protecting their interests and ideals,” says “The Times,’’ in a leading article on the meeting between the Defence Ministers of Britain, France, and the Benelux countries which will open in London to-day. The conference is expected to set up a permanent military committee to deal with such questions as standardisation of armaments and equipment and joint use of air and sea bases. “Russia herself is probably no more desirous of a fatal breach with the Western nations and with the United States than they are of strife with her.” “The Times” adds, “but where Russia detects weakness and hesitation she will assuredly continue to throw her weight against these soft spots. “If the soft spots can be stiffened by firm military plans and active cooperation, the prospects of peace and peaceful settlement of differences will be improved.” A communique issued in Brussels by the Finance Ministers of Britain, France, and the Benelux countries at the end of their two-day talks announces their approval in principle of proposals for facilitating intra-Euro-pean payments in the period covered by the European recovery programme. It adds that their experts will continue in conference in Brussels to pare a scheme giving effect to the proposals, which are designed to reestablish economic equilibrium between Western Europe and the Western Hemisphere on the one hand and between the different countries of Western Europe on the other. The Ministers also agreed to take all possible steps to strengthen the ties between their countries.