West welcomes an easier ally

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 13

West welcomes an easier ally

fN.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

PARIS, May 20.

The United States and its Western allies will probably find France a little easier to live with under its new President.

Atlantic relations have not been really amicable since President Coty gave up his powers to Charles de Gaulle in January, 1959. Although Mr Giscard d’Estaing has promised to follow the foreign policy of De Gaulle and his successor, Mr Georges Pompidou, some of his remarks have suggested he will be less dogmatic.

On the basis that there is always a grain of truth in charges by political enemies, advocates of Franco-Ameri-can friendship were cheered to see anti-Giscard d’Estaing campaign slogans saying: “There is a certain gliding toward Atlanticism.”

Mr Giscard d’Estaing has been specific about his views on the United States-led Atlantic Alliance.

“France can accept partnership, but she cannot accept leadership,” he said.

One factor Mr Giscard d’Estaing will take into account is the crucial support he received during the election campaign from Mr Jean Lecanuet, leader of a centre reform group, Mr Lecanuet is counted France’s most fervent Atlanticist.

Explaining his views at the start of the campaign, Mr Giscard d’Estaing said: “Every time the United States seeks a frank dialogue, bearing in mind our national concern for independence, problems can be brought up and. I think, solved.

“Whenever, explicitly or otherwise, the United States shows the will to predominate, there should be no surprise at a French refusal.” Economist The new President is expected to attempt to warm the strained relations with Israel, but French policy in the Middle East should remain virtually unchanged otherwise.

Mr Giscard d’Estaing is also expected to pursue the late President Pompidou’s

efforts for European unity, again probably trying to place France at the head or among the most important countries of that grouping. His relations with the Soviet Union and the Soviet Bloc should remain virtually the same: cordial, though sometimes suspicious.

The White House Press Secretary (Mr Ronald Ziegler) said today that President Nixon, who telephoned his congratulations to the French President, characterised Mr Giscard d’Estaing as the most knowledgeable statesman in economics in the West.

Personal friend

Government officials in Bonn declined comment on the French election until the result was official, but there was little doubt in Bonn that a victory for Mr Giscard d’Estaing would be the outcome the new Schmidt Government would prefer. Although French and West German policies have diverged on economic and monetary matters, Mr Schmidt and Mr Giscard d’Estaing are known to have developed a personal understanding and friendship as Finance Ministers of the two countries.

In Tokyo, a senior Foreign Ministry official said Japan would benefit indirectly through efforts Mr Giscard d’Estaing was expected to make to help solve some of the uneasiness among the Common Market nations. In East Berlin the Communist East German News Agency accused bourgeois politicians of resorting to anti-communism and conniving to thwart the Left-wing candidate, Mr Mitterrand. The agency said "a bourgeois party bloc” previously unrepresented in the Government coalition had formed with the support of "Rightist groups” after the elimination of the Gaullist candidate, Mr Jacques Chaban-Delmas, in the first round.