Uncertain air

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34105, 18 March 1976, Page 17

Uncertain air

(A'.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) BONN, March 17.

Mr Wilson’s notice of resignation came as a puzzling and unsettling surprise to the other Western European capitals, the “New York Times” reports.

In almost every European country except West Germany, there is an atmosphere of political uncertainty and malaise. Even in Bonn there is the possibility of a change of Government after next October’s elections. Mr Wilson’s unexpected announcement added to the general anxiety, though he has not been either widely respected or particularly popular in the other Western European countries.

There was criticism in Bonn of his timing, since his announcement came in the midst of a European monetary crisis provoked by the weakness of the British pound and the French franc — and by investors’ worries about rqcent electoral gains by Communists in both Italy and i France.

Both Italian and West German leaders had struggled to get Mr Wilson and his Labour Party to agree first to say “Yes” to British membership of the Common MarKet, and then to go on towards European political union.

Thev had hoped to take a major step forward at a Common Market summit meeting in Luxembourg next month —a decision to hold direct elections to the European Parliament in 1978.

In Luxembourg today an aide to the Prime Minister (Mr Gaston Thorn) said he expected that the nine-nation meeting of the Common Mar. ket’s European council would take place as expected on April 1, with Mr Wilson or his successor present.

But in Bonn, a West German official said: “Whether the European Parliament decision can be taken now is something else again.” Mr Wilson’s paity came close to splitting over the issue of British participation in the Common Market, until the British electorate voted in last year’s referendum to stay in.