E.E.C. support of U.S. likely to be stronger

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 8

E.E.C. support of U.S. likely to be stronger

NZPA-Reuter Luxemburg Common Market Foreign Ministers will today discuss concrete steps to back the United States in its dispute with Iran, including a plan that might stop imports of Iranian oil.

The plan, to he implemented in two. stages, has been drawn up by the .British Foreign Secretary (Lord Carrington). It provides first for a reduction in-.the diplomatic staff of J the nine E.E.C. countries in Teheran, with a parallel reduction in Iranian embassy | staff in Western Europe,and for “co-ordinating views’’ . on existing economic accords with Iran. British sources said these accords included those governing oil imports, and their revision would mean an ef-

fective halt to purchases of Iranian oil by Common Market countries. The. Carter Administration has- 1 cut commercial and diplomatic ties with Iran and’ is seeking Western European support to gain the release of hostages held ■ in" the United States embassy in Teheran since November 4. British sources ’said the second stage of the Carrington plan would provide for a total trade embargo with Iran, except for food and medical supplies. The sources said a delay was'needed between the two stages in case some countries had to put the measures before their national Parliaments for approval, y

West German sources said they believed the British plan had a good chance of

success. West Germany has been pushing for firm European backing of the United States position. „ The Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Saburo Okita), who . arrived in Luxemburg on Mohday to consult with his Common: Market colleagues, agreed .’that Japan community should stay-in. close touch on measures to back the United States, Japanese sources said. The Japanese Minister met Luxemburg’s Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Gaston Thorn), the Italian Foreign Minister (Mr Emilio Colombo), and Lord Carrington. The sources said he was seeking meetings with the French and West German Foreign Ministers before leaving Luxemburg.