Nixon Affirms Commitment To N.A.T.O.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31923, 26 February 1969, Page 17

Nixon Affirms Commitment To N.A.T.O.

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, February 25. President Nixon had assured the British Prime Minister (Mr Harold Wilson) that continuation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation alliance was fundamental to American foreign policy, United States officials said in London today.

They disclosed that at a dinner discussion last night at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country home, the President said the North Atlantic treaty was “the blue chip —or gilt-edged stock in our foreign affairs.”

The officials said President de Gaulle’s reported proposal for a new European economic, political and defence system which would see the eventual disappearance of N.A.T.0., had not been made to the United States. But if the United States were asked to take cognisance lof the problem, it would, of course, reaffirm its commitment to N.A.T.0., the officials said. President Nixon and the Prime Minister did not, in fact, discuss the row which had blown up between London and Paris over President de Gaulle’s reported proposal, spokesmen for both sides said.

British sources said there was no sign of President Nixon being annoyed with Britain over the Anglo-French controversy and he had made no complaints. American officials said the Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers) was informed by the British Embassy in Washington of the de Gaulle proposal several days before the news of it broke in London last Friday. Officials said the talks between President Nixon and

Mr Wilson, which would continue at 10 Downing Street today, had been wide-ranging in scope and extremely general in nature. The question of the AngloFrench row had not come up, American officials said, partly because it was President Nixon’s view that it was a problem concerned with West European organisations and, therefore, a matter primarily for Europeans to settle among themselves. There had, therefore, been no need for the Americans to raise the issue in London and the British side had not

brought it up, the officials said.

President Nixon is due in Paris on Friday from Rome. The impression given in London is that, if President de Gaulle brings up the question raised in his reported proposal to Britain, the American leader will be ready to state his views. The United States chief executive on his arrival last night from Brussel referred warmly and extensively to what he said was the special relationship between the two countries.

He added at length to his prepared -emarks on the subject, raising speculation that he had done so knowing full well that special significance would be given to his words in the context of the AngloFrench differences. The special London-Wash-ington relationship has been a sore point with President de Gaulle.

But Mr Nixon said the “special relationship” was not exclusive “because that peace we seek, the two of us, will be secure only when all nations enjoy the relationship of trust and confidence that unites us.” “I believe as 1 stand here today that we can bring about

a durable peace in our time,” the President said. “But it cannot come to those who seek it frantically with overnight deals or dramatic gestures, and it cannot come to those who pursue it casually without real hope or genuine idealism.” Engagements for the President today include lunch with Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace and a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey.