E.E.C. ENTRY TALKS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29891, 3 August 1962, Page 9

E.E.C. ENTRY TALKS

French Criticised But No Progress Made (NZ. PA.-Reuter—Copyright) BRUSSELS, August 2. 1 he British delegation at the deadlocked Common Market talks is expected to submit a detailed document today, laying out Britain’s position on the key question of Commonwealth farm products. British experts worked into the small hours to prepare the document, which contains changes Britain wants made i n the Six’s proposals on the issue.

Diplomatic sources said the amendments in it would be substantially the same as those suggested by the chief British negotiator (Mr Heath) before the negotiations for Britain's entry bogged down last week. Though Mr Heath will submit the document today, actual discussion of the vital issue will be left until tomorrow. Today, three important aspects of the complicated nine-month-old talks will be dealt with. These are’(1) The trading problems of three Asian members of the Commonwealth India. Pakistan and Ceylon. (2) The question of associating British dependent territories with the Common Market. <3» The financial regulations of the enlarged community’s agricultural policy. The Six—France. West Germany. Italy. Belgium. H Hand and Luxembourg—were meeting this morning to prepare for their encounter later with Mr Heath. Talks yesterday showed no progress on Commonwealth agriculture. Britain’s main task is to secure from the Six a guaran. tee that an enlarged community would continue to provide an adequate outlet for the cereal, meat and dairy exports of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

the West German State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, also criticised the French position, the source said. A Dutch delegate said the Belgians. supported by Holland, had proposed an mportant amendment to the original proposal, which suggested - that if world agreements had not been reached by 1965 the community would be ready to negotiate special pacts with countries including Australia. . New Zealand and Canada. But a French delegate said France opposed the Belgian suggestion. which went back on the agreement already reached with Britain. After the session. Mr Spaak said it was “an extremelv difficult discussion ” He nevertheless still had hope that by the end of the week “we will see our way clear in the. whole matter of British membership."

Asked whether he thought ’.he conference might be prolonged into next week. Mr Spaak said: “I can of course not make a precise forecast, but I have the feeling we can finish the business on hand by next Saturday.” A French spokesman said that the Common Market ministers had not agreed among themselves on any amendments to the original proposal. He said the Six had asked Mr Heath to make a detailed statement on the Six’s proposals and indicate which items he would like to see changed. British sources said Mr Heath emphasised he had already given his reaction to the proposals but he had agreed to make a statement as requested by the Six. The sources said that before the recess Mr Heath asked the Six for a clarification of their proposals on

The negotiations “marked time’’ yesterday because the Six were unable to agree on any changes in their proposals for Commonwealth agriculture. The latest differences among the Six in their attitude towards the terms of Britain’s entry were forced to the surface for the first time.

The Belgian Foreign Minister (Mr Paul-Henri Spaak) openly criticised the French delegation for a negative attitude at a five-hour meeting which the Six held before meeting the British delegation. The meeting was marked by "a lot of fireworks” between Mr Spaak, and Mr Olivier Wormser. head of the French delegation, according to an authoritative conference source.

Mr Spaak told Mr Wormser no: to take a negative attitude all the time towards Britain joining the Common Market, and Mr Rolf Lahr.

points both of presentation and substance. Mr Heath further asked for a clearer definition of that part of the draft proposals which stated that the European Economic Community had a responsibility towards Commonwealth countries. He emphasised that he considered a precise definition of this policy to be an essential condition of any agreements. Mr Heath said price policy must be arranged in such a way as to safeguard the interests of Commonwealth countries and to leave the door open for imports of farm products into an enlarged European community. Mr Schaus, replying from the chair, said the Six had already made considerable concessions to Britain and it was difficult for them to make any more. Mr K. B. Lail, the Indian Ambassador to the Common Market, called on Mr Eugene Schaus. the chairman of the conference and the Luxembourg Foreign Minister, shortly before this morning’s meeting of the Six. Mr Lail said he had handad to Mr Schaus a special message from Mr Morarj) Desai, the Indian Finance Minister. He said the message said that the proposals prepared by the deputies of the Six and Britain regarding problems of India. Pakistan and Ceylon were not in conformity with the discussions which Mr Desai had with ministers and officials of the seven nations during his recent European tour. It was announced in London early today that the Commonwealth Relations and Colonial Secretary (Mr Sandys) is flying to Brussels today to join Mr Heath at the talks.