WEST GERMANY’S DEFENCE ROLE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26212, 8 September 1950, Page 7

WEST GERMANY’S DEFENCE ROLE

Atlantic Powers To Consider Way

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 7.30 pm.) WASHINGTON, September 6.

The United States Secretary of State (Mr Acheson) said to-day that it was highly desirable to find a way in which Western Germany could participate in Western European defence. He indicated that this would be discussed by the British, French, and United States Foreign Ministers in New York next week.

Mr Acheson said the purpose of strengthening the forces of Western Europe was to protect the whole area against aggression, and West Germany was in that area.

In the Atlantic area a stage had been reached where plans must oe speedily translated into action. The North Atlantic Treaty organisation would seek during the next year to get actual men, equipment, formations, and a command structure adequate for the defence of Western Europe. The British Foreign Secretary <Mr Ernest Bevin), who left in the Queen Mary to-night for the United States to attend the United Nations Assembly and the meeting of Foreign Ministers, said: “I believe that if all the countries which are in the Atlantic Pact and which are friendly to our activities band themselves together and organise themselves, an aggressor will think twice before he starts any trouble.

“With sound organisation, complete understanding and by merging our resources as far as we can, 1 believe we can prevent any third world war or serious disturbance in the world.”