Hope For Early British Entry

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31974, 29 April 1969, Page 1

Hope For Early British Entry

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright > BRUSSELS, April 28. Common Market officials today voiced hope that the resignation of President de Gaulle would hasten Britain's entry into the sixnation community. The officials paid tribute to General de Gaulle’s role in putting France on its feet hut expressed cautious optimism that his departure from the political scene would give the European Economic Community a new political impetus. General de Gaulle twice vetoed negotiations on British entry into the E.E.C. France has also been blamed for trying to whittle down the powers of the E.E.C. Commission, and for the breakdown of effective joint action in the field of nuclear co-operation within Euratom. the market's nuclear energy club. E.E.C. officials hope the way will now be open for internal strengthening of community activities and eventual membership of Bri-

tain. Denmark, Norway and Ireland. But the officials said that results in this direction were unlikely until a new French administration was in power and had assessed its policy towards the E.E.C.

In London, diplomatic observers said today that General de Gaulle's resignation would not necessarily mean that Britain's task of trying to join the E.E.C. would automatically become easier.

Since February. France has also been boycotting the meetings of the Western European Union permanent council in London, mainly beeausc of a controversy over the procedure for convening the council’s sessions.

The French Government maintains that meetings of the council—which links Britain with the E.E.C. six —can only be convened by agreement of all the seven member countries. Britain holds that unanimity for this is not required.