TROOPS IN EUROPE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28231, 20 March 1957, Page 13

TROOPS IN EUROPE

British Plans Modified

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 19. The Ministerial Council of the seven-nation Western European Union, meeting in London, reached agreement early today on a plan to cut British forces in Europe, according to well-in-formed sources.

The Ministers reached complete agreement on reconciling Britain’s wishes with the objections of European countries, the sources said.

Agreement was reached after a four and a half hour meeting. A conference source said only drafting work was now required on the text of the agreement already approved. Britain’s plan originally called for the withdrawal of 27,000 servicemen from Europe. Diplomatic circles believe Britain was anxious for an agreement before the Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) and the Foreign Secretary (Mr Selwyn Lloyd) leave for the Bermuda conference with President Eisenhower, and the Secretary of State (Mr Dulles).

The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. West Germany was represented by Professor Walter Hallstein, Under-Secretary of the West German Foreign Ministry, in place of Dr. Heinrich von Brentano, who is in Australia.