‘No U.S. Pressure In Common Market’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29819, 11 May 1962, Page 12

‘No U.S. Pressure In Common Market’

(Mew getuona Preet Aseociationi WELLINGTON, May 10. “It was Britain’s decision to seek membership of the Common Market, not ours. We did not urge it,” the United States Secretary of State (Mr Rusk) told a State reception given in his honour at Parliament House tonight. The permanent extension of existing preferences within the framework of an expanded Common Market would seriously prejudice the vital interests of the United States, he said. The United States was sympathetic with the problems faced by New Zealand and Australia because she faced problems not greatly different in kind.

“We have never offered any blueprints for an integrated Europe, ” said Mr Rusk. “We have never tried to tell our European friends how, or to what degree, they should integrate. But when proposals which seemed to us constructive have originated in Europe we have supported them. “Now Britain seeks membership of the Common Market When Britain asked us. as old friends, for our views, we responded favourably. We hope that the current negotiations will soon be successfully concluded. "Generally the process of European integration seems to us to have produced splendid results. Enlightened leadership has established a new relationship between Germany and her Western European neighbours. Economically. Western Europe

has forged ahead with unprecedented dynamism. “We share with Britain the judgment that she can better maintain and enhance her strength inside the Common Market than outride it. And we think that the addition of British resources, skills and proven political capacities will greatly strengthen the Confton Market “Full participation by Britain in the great process of European unity will be beneficial to the community, to the British, to other European states and. in fact, to all of us. “The enlarged Common Market will require adjustments by the United States, too. But we do not believe that the prospect of temporary difficulties should cause us to oppose a move, which promises so much good for the free world as a whole, and for the cause of liberty.”