SPAIN AND THE WEST

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26353, 22 February 1951, Page 7

SPAIN AND THE WEST

No British Aid For Rearming

(Special Correspondent (Rec. 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. Mr Ernest Davies, Under-Secre-tary for Foreign Affairs, rejected in the House of Commons suggestions that Spain should be brought into Western defence, ot should be aided in rearming. He w as replying to a question by Mr Eric Fletcher (Labour), who said; ‘ We cannot allow the emotional hangover of the civil war to dominate our relations with Spain for ever.” Mr Davies said that time did not eliminate evil, and emotions lingered on because they were real, “The Government’s view is that the strategic interests which ate being worked out for the defence of the West do not depend in any way on the help of Franco Spain. “The Government Is anxious not -to discourage Spanish forces, both Inside and outside Spain. Which look to the democracies for encouragement to restore Spain to the democratic way it life. "It is quite possible that if we be-, trayed democratic Spain, or gave that impression, we might drive Spain into the Communist camp. “To supply arms to Spain would hinder building up our own position of strength when the armies of the Western Powers are not fully equipped.”