STRENGTH OF N.A.T.O.

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

STRENGTH OF N.A.T.O.

Otec. 7 p.m.) PARIS, Dec. 14. The British Foreign Secretary (Mr A. Eden) told the North Atlantic Council today that the West had now reached the stage when it offered a oe l? rrent to any Communist attack. Eden was the first speaker when /4-nation council began, a debate ocnind closed doors on the international situation. J? n ! erence sources said that Mr Eden ■old the 40 foreign, defence, and fin■”ce Ministers, that they must now concentrate on consolidating and “Maintaining their forces. Mr Eden said that a new phase in “Uutary preparedness would be in“Uenced by the development and b greater employment of atomic weapons the field. - the Soviet threat remained “2 a if the Western countries were to eiax their defence effort, they would incF lantic nations must ad4r«- their P lans accordingly, he said. at ' ey *nust find a level of defensive .~®ngth which would be an effective anc * they could then main•over a period without overtbeir economies. In h • en said the Al bes must keep WhirS 112 9 ver a Period of years forces with atomic weapons in suptJ/' would provide an effective detcnM 11 j*° attack and which they tone! develop and maintain with the ■ 7? Q mo ,? ern equipment. in alliance must maintain its lead . weapons and scientific developits at the earliest date add to 1 forces by a German con- j through the European DeCommunity. j