N.A.T. O. Ministers End Meeting

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 15

N.A.T. O. Ministers End Meeting

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, December 16. The British Foreign Secretary (Lord Home) returned today after attending the N.A.T.O. ministerial meeting in Paris.

He told reporters at London Airport he thought the N.A.T.O. council’s decision to seek contacts with Russia over Berlin gave opportunity for a new initiative towards negotiation. Yesterday, the N.A.T.O. Ministers approved new diplomatic contacts with the Soviet Union in the search for a peaceful settlement of the Berlin crisis, reliable informants reported. The council expressed its approval after hearing that the United States and Britain intended to resume their study of Soviet policy through their Ambassadors _n Moscow, the informants said. They would seek to determine if there was a basis for eventual full-scale East-West negotiations on this issue, reported the Associated Press. A communique said the council was informed of this plan by the Ministers of countries “most directly concerned ”

Reuter reported that the communique said: “The council agreed the alliance must continue on its resolute course, combining strength and firmness of purpose with a readiness to seek solutions by peaceful means.”

The communique expressed admiration tor the courage and attachment to freedom of the people of Berlin, and reiterated the Ministers’ con viction that "a just and peaceful solution of the problem of Germany, including Berlin, must be found on the basis of self-determination." The Ministers noted the improvements made by member countries in their force contribution, particularly in response to the aggravation of the military threat arising from the deterioration in the Berlin situation. Only by increased defence capacity could the alliance continue to deter Communist aggression, the communique said