U.K. To Debate Dispute

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

U.K. To Debate Dispute

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, February 25.

The British Government will be challenged over the British-French dispute in a three-hour emergency debate in Parliament today.

Opposition members pressed for the debate yesterday after the Foreign Minister (Mr Michael Stewart) answered questions on the row over what General de Gaulle told Britain’s Ambassador (Mr Christopher Soames) in an interview on February 4. Mr Stewart also hinted that Britain might reveal in full the secret record of the interview if France continued to press charges that Britain distorted the General’s words. Sources said officials were seriously considering releasing the record as an effective way to vindicate the Government and the Ambassador. Britain has already rejected criticism of its handling of the affair and has labelled as unparalleled a French Note protesting against the Government’s action in telling Common Market governments of the interview. In a 45-minute cross examination by Opposition members in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Stewart coolly defended the Government’s decision to release a plan by General de Gaulle to reshape Western Europe and freeze out the United States.

Papers today deplored the

shattered relations between France and Britain, but concluded that Britain had no real choice than to reveal the plan. The French position appeared to have hardened with the handling of the protest Note. After making its first official public move in the controversy, the French Government was today awaiting London’s reaction or reply. British officials in Paris were studying the Note, but they would make no comment before the British Government had decided how to handie the protest. 1