The Press MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1961. The "Neutral Summit” In Belgrade

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 12

The Press MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1961. The "Neutral Summit” In Belgrade

Neither the Western nor the Russian and Chinese Governments have been enthusiastic about the “neutral summit” in Belgrade—the current meeting of 25 “ non-aligned ” countries, suggested originally by Jugoslavia, Indonesia, and the United Arab Republic. At one stage it appeared that the conference would mean little to anybody; but Mr Nehru’s belated decision to attend was crucial. As events have turned out, the Conference may be an important milestone. Widespread dismayaat Russia’s resumption of nuclear tests is finding perhaps its most effective expression in Belgrade, because the nations represented there are among those which the Soviet Union has courted most assiduously with protestations of disinterested humanitarianism. Radioactive fall-out is no respecter of neutral peoples; and the uncommitted nations realise they would stand as poor a chance as any in a full-scale nuclear war.

Long before the Belgrade conference assembled, it was known that disarmament would be discussed, together with colonialism .and other favourite topics of Communist controversy. The sponsors’ declaration that neither East nor West would escape Criticism indicated that the Russian doctrine of disarmament would not be received unquestioningly. It is possible, however, that Moscow underrated the effect in Belgrade of its new policy on nuclear tests. Mr Nehru's forthright speech,

in which he contended that the world must disarm or “ burst", was particularly important because of India’s primacy within the AfroAsian. bloc. In Western capitals his remarks are likely to offset the effect left by his recent pronouncement on the Berlin dispute.

The emergence of a neutral bloc as potentially a decisive influence in world diplomacy has not yet found expression in a common policy, unimpaired by the petty animosities that still divide one neutral country from another or colour the politics of individual nations. In Belgrade the search for such a policy has been given fresh urgency. The conference is embarrassed, however, because for various reasons many countries that regard themselves as “ non-aligned ” are not represented. To succeed, the conference needs to avoid narrow partisanship and reach decisions palatable to the entire uncommitted world. These decisions must nevertheless be more substantia] than benevolent platitudes. If the conference accepts Mr Nehru’s advice, it will “ forget colonialism ” and concentrate on saving the world from disaster. At the forthcoming General Assembly of the United Nations the neutral countries will have an unprecedented opportunity of mediating between West and East. The Belgrade conference is helping to determine whether that opportunity will be used for the enduring benefit of all mankind, or whether it will be lost, perhaps for ever.