U.S. WARNING ON E.D.C.

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27224, 16 December 1953, Page 11

U.S. WARNING ON E.D.C.

Resentment Felt By French (H.Z. Press Association-Copyright) T’ .u . u PARIS ’ December 15. (Mr John Foster of State have to make "an ajSiMrSnoSS « ht it the European Defence is*Le no! was generally regarded in French circles WniJht as both unfortunate and undiplomatic. ght Mr Dulles, who was soeakino* nt ___ • the Atlantic Council vesterdav afeo X/? a ° pe ? ,ng meeting of tain military support of Ewop once WoUld main ‘ was formed. ° Pe once the European Army

of an anti-European Defence Commiinitv l he electio P dent of the Republic. (The French as Presi ‘ take place on Thursday.) Presidential election will Supporters of the E.D.C. were euuallv • • that Mr Dulles had done their cause great harm “ SayHlg

was law ttd r «oX S Und i e n h’ad nth ie I Md a ‘?h to countries which Treat/ tl l e . Euro P ea n Army reaty, could only be delivered to thp Europ ean Defence CoSnity If em?W n U, ? ty did not exist . deliveries coidd no longer be made, statesman bef j re has any American the* ?' d ‘ s '?. .unambiguously that ... nefusai to ratify the E.D.C. Treaty ]JL° dld m . ean . the . cessation of or a decrease in American military aid h. ‘ a press conf erence whether £l5° u ’ d guarantee to keep United states troops in Europe If the E.D.C h? J,d/ act , ratifled ’ Mr Dulles said rT.Jtu ° nl y repeat what President b V <? r - ? ad said—that there would be intimate and durable cooperation by America with the E.D.C. Asked what that meant, Mr Dulles aid not reply. The French Foreign Minister (Mr Georges Bidault) opening the N.A.T O LT Cll ur sed firmer links between N.A.T.O. and the E.D.C. He said such links were essential to European defence. Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent says the N.A.T.O. meeting has thus become a battlefield for a renewed struggle by America to get the E.D.C. accepted by France and by France to get new guarantees of security as the price of such acceptance. He said observers saw behind the veil of diplomatic language some prospect of a . United States concession—but not that of the French suggestion to extend the life of the 20-year N.A.T.O. alliance to 50 years—the same period as the E.D.C.