WESTERN UNION

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25629, 19 October 1948, Page 5

WESTERN UNION

MEETING OF FINANCE MINISTERS “ LITTLE discussion of DEFENCE” PARIS, October 17. The Finance Ministers of the five Brussels Pact countries, after a meeting to-day, issued a communique saying that they had studied the results of the economic and financial co-oper-ation among the five Powers since the signature of the treaty and had examined the action to be taken to harmonise the long-term policies of their governments. » The communique added: “They have given preliminary consideration to problems following the recent meeting of the Defence Ministers of the five Powers, and they made suggestions for procedure which will be submitted to the Consultative Council at its next meeting on October 25.” A British official said that at the meeting of the Finance Ministers there was little to discuss when they turned to the defence arrangements under the Brussels Pact. Until concrete plans were worked out and applied, there would be little to finance. He added that if any particular financial problems arose in the next few months, the five governments would examine and settle them on the spot. The official emphasised that the financing of any rearmament projects had not arisen in the five-Power talks “because it is .still too early.” Count Sforza.- the Italian Foreign Minister, told the Italian Senate that in the event of war Italy’s place would be with the Western Powers. Count Sforza said that neutrality was impossible and that the Western Union should be enlarged to include more States.

‘‘ltaly cannot isolate herself,” he I said. “Geographically our country is i easy prey. international situation iis serious. We do not want to shut our eyes to it.”