Energy talks still in deadlock

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33819, 16 April 1975, Page 21

Energy talks still in deadlock

i CN.Z.P.A.Reuter —Copyright > t PARIS. April 15. ' j Marathon talks to arrange a full-scale world energy conference have ground almost to a standstill and weary delegates are today considering adjournment. i The 10-member preparatory I meeting — the first dialogue j between producers and consumers since the oil crisis 'erupted 18 months ago has been in virtual deadlock ]since the talks began more; jthan a week ago. I A French official said last; !night that, producer and con-' ; sumer countries remained en-! (trenched in their positions:: I “We are not giving up yeti and the search for a way out! of the impasse continues un-l liabated.” The two differ on the! -agenda for the proposed' •'meeting next summer, the; : I United States and its indus-i Jtrialised allies want the con-'

|ference to focus on oil. but! ithe producers demand equal! importance be given to all! raw materials. The United States and its allies have agreed that other! raw materials can be dis-! cussed at the full meeting,' but reject a loosely-worded; agenda that fails to put the! emphasis on oil. A member of the Algerian' delegation, which has been; championing the cause of developing nations, said last, might that some of the industrialised countries were bent lon wrecking the conference ; — “sabotage — that’s what jit is.” i Delegates began talks of! ithe possibility of adjourn|ment last night. I One official said: “We shall know by the end of the day II if we should break up for a 11 while — a time for reflection — and reconvene at a later .'date.”