Conference in jeopardy

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 17

Conference in jeopardy

fN.Z. Press assn.— Copyright) NEW YORK, Dec. 6. An East-West political conflict threatens to undermine seriously the Stockholm conference on environment next June.

The Soviet Union has given a strong hint that she will not participate unless East Germany, which is not a member of the United Nations, is invited to take part The United States, Britain and France say that full participation would confer an

international legitimacy on the East German State which could hinder negotiations between the two Germanys. The Australian delegate (Mr Lance Joseph) has suggested that an arrangement might be worked out, permitting East Germany to send “experts,” rather than poliit-

cal-decision-makers, to attend the meetings, with observer status.

However, Western sources say that the Soviet Union turned down that proposal, which the West offered as “an olive branch” some time ago, in private consultations. A question surrounding the environment conference is whether the People’s Republic of China will attend. She has not indicated her position, and Chinese delegates are not attending the committee meetings on the issue.