TALKS IN APRIL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29068, 3 December 1959, Page 17

TALKS IN APRIL

Mr Lloyd’s Belief (Rec. 11 p.m.)

ROME, December 2. The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Selwyn Lloyd, said in an interview being published in this week’s issue of the Italian weekly “Epoca,” that he believed the East-West summit . conference would be held in April. Answering questions, Mr Lloyd said he had no reasons to believe the Soviet Prime Minister. Mr Khrushchev, had become less keen to hold the meeting. “On the contrary, I am convinced that he is as ready as we are to reach a reasonable modus vivendi,” Mr Lloyd said. Asked if “misunderstandings” between Britain and West Germany had disappeared after the recent visit to London by the West German Chancellor, Dr. Adenauer, Mr Lloyd replied: “I believe so. I believe Dr. Adenauer is now convinced that we are not in favour of a so-called disengagement in Europe.” On relations with France, Mr Lloyd was quoted as saying: “The immediate reasons for a FrancoBritish alliance in Europe fortunately have disappeared: the danger of a political and military expansionism by Germany has been absorbed in the frame-

work of the West European Union and of the Atlantic Alliance. “But this does not mean that the Entente Cordiale is in decline,” he added. “Its vitality and its necessity are stronger than ever, and hot only for historical or sentimental reasons, but for reasons that are eminently geographical.”