WEST MINISTERS HAVE COMMON POLICY FOR TALKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1949, Page 5

WEST MINISTERS HAVE COMMON POLICY FOR TALKS

PARIS, May 22 (Rec. 2 p.m.).— The three Western Foreign Ministers met at the French Foreign Office today for final talks on 'policy coordination before the opening of the Big Four Foreign Ministers’ Council tomorrow.

The meeting was devoted to continued study of the joint report by the Foreign Ministers’ deputies on the preliminary conferences of the past week.

The Associated Press correspondent says the Western Powers are agreed on a edmmon German policy to present to Russia, according to an authoritative source. It is understood the last obstacle to Western agreement was removed when Mr Acheson (United States) gave an assurance that the United States would oppose any proposal by Russia for the quick withdrawal of the occupation troops. Basis Of Stand

The basis of the Western Ministers’ stand, according to this source, will include: — 1. Firm support for the West German State and no compromise on any plan which would jeopardise its existence. Any unification of Germany must come on the basis of the West German Constitution, just ratified. „ 2. Opposition to the withdrawal of the occupation troops. Any such proposal would be referred by the West for further study.on the basis of a gradual reduction over a period. 3. An iron-clad agreement with Russia over the future of Berlin will be sought, irrespective of whether agreement on Germany as a whole is reached. This question may be given priority in view of the present rioting and disorders sweeping Berlin.

Position Strengthened Reuter’s correspondent says the Western Foreign Ministers will be in a far stronger position than they were at the Moscow and London conferences in 1947. They have consolidated their position in Europe and the battle for European recovery has turned favourable for them. They have strengthened their position politically through the North Atlantic Pact and the establishment of the Council of Europe.