Rifts Threaten Western Unity

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30004, 13 December 1962, Page 17

Rifts Threaten Western Unity

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) PARIS, December 12. The United States today would seek French aid in patching over rifts that threaten the unity of the Western alliance, British United Press reported.

The American Secretary of State. Mr Dean Rusk, would hold talks with President de Gaulle and the Prime Minister, Mr Pompidou, as a prelude to the three-day N.A.T.O. Council of Ministers’ meeting opening tomorrow. Mr Rusk is expected to appeal to President de Gaulle not to make British entry into the Common Market excessively difficult. The United States feared the colkipse of the Brussels talks might split Europe and cause Britain to pull its forces out of Europe In Brussels, the Belgian Foreign Minister, Mr Paul Henri Spaak, said he was worried about the present Common Market deadlock between Britain and the Six. Mr Spaak, Britain’s best friend in Europe, was speaking to a Brussels University audience. Questioned about the possibility of Britain not joining the Common Market, he said that if this happened it could provoke a serious

crisis for the future of Europe. Mr Spaak added that although he remained confident of the outcome of the current talks between Britain and the Six, he was worried about the present deadlock. If the talks continued close to the next British General Election, nobody could tell what the outcome would be. British United Press said arms issues also clouded relations. Indications were there would be some tough talking at the N.A.T.O. conference on the question of boosting conventional forces in Europe. President de Gaulle warned France’s allies yesterday that it was inconceivable that France should not have her own modern nuclear striking force. The warning was given in a message from President de Gaulle to the French National Assembly.

On his arrival in Paris, Mr Rusk appealed to United States allies to forget their disagreements and increase the strength of the alliance. In a brief statement at Orly airport, Mr Rusk emphasised the need for unity in the alliance.