SUBSTITUTE FOR E.D.C.

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27404, 17 July 1954, Page 7

SUBSTITUTE FOR E.D.C.

Germany Defers Comment (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) BONN, July 15. The West German Government said today that it would defer comment on the British-American plan for West German sovereignty without the European Defence Community until the French National Assembly had taken its stand. The Government said: “The Federal Government is at the moment studying the very complex problems which would follow if the Bonn conventions were . put into effect in isolation. It would be premature to comment on an alternative solution before the decision—expected shortly—of the French National Assembly/’ The Bonn conventions would give West Germany limited sovereignty with the British, French, and Americans retaining military rights there. The American Secretary of State (Mr Dulles) yesterday informed Congress that to break the European Defence Community Britain and the United States might propose immediate sovereignty for West Germany. The French and British Governments ’ r ould be asked to support this alternative, which would be employed if the French Assembly adjourned next month without ratifying the European Defence Community treaty.