U.S, Resentment At Splits Among Allies

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29824, 17 May 1962, Page 13

U.S, Resentment At Splits Among Allies

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, May 16.

President Kennedy feels that the United States, having shouldered the major burden of the cold war, is entitled to pursue forcefully honourable solutions to world problems without serious disruption by differences among its allies, authoritative sources said yesterday. This included speaking out vigorously on behalf of its own interests, too, and having its position recognised diplomatically and politically, the Associated Press reported.

The President’s position, as outlined here, seemed to be a reflection of distress and irritation over open disputes within the Western camp over American approaches to solve highly explosive issues in many parts of the globe. A P said If so, his views would be aimed particularly at France and West Germany, who had remained openly critical of talks with the Soviet Union on the Berlin crisis. A.P said “We do not propose to be taken into actions which may involve the destruction of the United States and other countries without exploring all other alternatives;! a high official said At his press conference last week the President spoke of West Germany’s public differences with the United States in the Berlin negotiations. He said the United States had done more than any nation to guarantee

West Berlin's freedom and would bear the brunt of any Soviet attack The United States had some rights to at least explore peaceful solutions under such circumstances, he said

The official who reported

Mr Kennedy's views pointed out that the United States had strongly reinforced its troops . protecting West Europe during the Berlin crisis, but France had not. "A year ago. there were two French divisions in West Germany." he said, “and today there are still two French divisions there.”

Mr Kennedy was also described as feeling other nations, including ■ Pakistan and Persia, wanted to use United States power on behalf of their own interests. The President, the sources said, was well aware of the responsibility and difficulty

of the issues involved in all of these areas. But the United States, too, wanted its position recognised by these nations, the sources said.

Partly because of the differences, Mr Kennedy was now less hopeful of a satisfactory solution in Laos than he was six months ago, it was reported He is also said to believe that the Soviet Union could not indefinitely postpone its commitment to sign a separate treaty with East Germany, a move that could heat up the Berlin issue to an explosive stage.