U.S. Official To Discuss E.E.C.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29827, 21 May 1962, Page 11

U.S. Official To Discuss E.E.C.

tN.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copynphl)

WASHINGTON, May 20. Britain's application to join the European Common Market and reported opposition to it by France and West Germany are expected to be among the main questions to be discussed by the United States Undersecretary of State (Mr George Ball) during his coming visits to Paris and Bonn, United States officials said last night.

They said that Mr Ball was expected to explore the attitude of both governments towards Britain’s application and to make it clear to them once again • that the United States strongly supports British entry into the sixnation group.

The Under-Secretary of State is in Stockholm at present attending an international economic conference. He was due to fly to Paris today for a two-day visit, followed by a two-day stay in Rome and then a visit to Bonn before returning to Washington. Reported Opposition Recent reports from Paris have said that the French President (General de Gaulle) was opposed to Britain’s entry into the Common Market and believed that the European community should be kept “European” in the Continental sense. The West German Chancellor (Dr. Konrad Adenauer) was also reported recently to have expressed opposition to Britain’s entry, although these reports- have been strongly denied in Bonn. Diplomatic observers in Washington noted that the question of Britain’s application for membership was tied up with the broader issue of the Atlantic partnership and General de Gaulle’s vision of Europe as a “third force” between the Soviet Union and the United States. The observers remarked that the French President’s statement last night that Europe must play the role of an “arbiter between the two

colossal Powers" appeared to be at odds with President Kennedy’s belief that Atlantic unity represented the true course of history. President Kennedy is believed to have become deeply concerned at the effect on the Atlantic alliance of recent criticism from Bonn and Washington, and Mr Ball is expected to make this clear in his talks in Paris and Bonn.