The Press MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1970. Mr Pompidou’s Visit To Washington

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32235, 2 March 1970, Page 12

The Press MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1970. Mr Pompidou’s Visit To Washington

Coolness, even some hostility, towards President Pompidou during his visit to the United States was expected. American dislike of France's apparently cynical and opportunist policies in the Middle East is not by any means confined to Jewry. These policies, it is generally believed, are founded on the belief that it is more advantageous to France, . especially ,in access to essential oil supplies, to > conciliate the Arab world than to recognise Israel's right to build a peaceful and independent future. President Nixon will certainly not have seen eye to eye with Mr Pompidou on Middle East policy. On the contrary, he had already made it clear that the United States would not tolerate any attempt, by France or by Russia, to build up a balance of strength in favour of the Arab States. Mr Pompidou is also likely to have been told of American suspicions that the 100 military aircraft which France has agreed to supply to Libya are intended to reach Egypt. In the American view, this deal exposes the falsity of French claims to “ peace-making ” in the Middle East by helping to maintain a balance in arms. Nevertheless, the official programme for Mr Pompidou’s visit suggested a wish on Mr Nixon’s part to restore stability to Franco-American relations. Mr Pompidou does not see France’s role in world affairs, or even Euronean affairs, on the grandiose scale conceived by General de Gaulle; but he has made it clear that he shares much of the General’s philosophy. He has also indicated that he does not propose to restore France to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Mr Nixon no doubt would want to know precisely what role Mr Pompidou's Government proposed for France in the maintenance of West European security. This question must be becoming more urgent in the light of a growing American conviction that West Europe will have to do a good deal more than in the past to ensure its own safety.

If the French and other Western Governments do not recognise this need Mr Nixon may find it hard to resist the calls now being made for a large-scale American withdrawal. It is certain that Mr Nixon will not want to imperil N.A.T.O. by dangerously diminishing the American contribution to it. But it is probable that he sought some assurance from Mr Pompidou that even if France will not again participate actively in N.A.T.0.. some form of. military co-operation between it and France will be guaranteed.