De Gaulle’s Plans For Western Directorate

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28765, 10 December 1958, Page 14

De Gaulle’s Plans For Western Directorate

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 8. Officials of the three Western Powers—Britain, France and the United States—had begun discussions in Washington on the question of the establishment of a Three Power Political Directorate for the free world and on other proposals put forward privately by General de Gaulle in September, says the "Manchester Guardian” diplomatic correspondent, commenting on an an-

nouncement about Western “coordination of policies and resources” made in London, Washington and Paris. "The proposals have still not been officially made public," the correspondent writes, “but there are sufficient leaks to indicate that one of the chief suggestions was that the United States, Britain and France, by virtue of their world-wide interests and responsibilities and their great resources should set up a political directorate to act as a supreme political standing group for the free world.

“Whatever theoretical appeal such a suggestion inight have for the British and American Governments it can clearly have none for other nations which at least aspire to equal status as Great Powers with Britain and France and it will also be likely to be given a fairly rough reception by admittedly more modest States which nevertheless are jealous of their sovereignty and independence.

"The desirability of establishing in N.A.T.O. a supreme political body comparable to a threePower military standing group has at least passed through the minds of the British and Americans in the past. “It has been rejected because of the hostility which it would clearly arouse among other N.A.T.O. allies.” The correspondent thinks it is unlikely that the British and American Governments will look more favourably on the present proposal although they do not now appear to want to reject it out of hand.

He says that General de Gaulle’s other proposals are believed to be designed to improve the organisation of N.A.T.O. and to increase its defensive strength.