WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION TO “TIGHTEN COMMON ACTION”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22694, 20 July 1948, Page 5

WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION TO “TIGHTEN COMMON ACTION”

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.)

(10.45 a .in.) THE HAGUE, July 19. The live Foreign Ministers, at a meeting of the consultative council of the Western Union, emphasised the need for “tightening up common action,” said the British delegation spokesman.

He added that everyone agreed that solidarity was needed on the real problems confronting them. The spokesman explained that a “tightening up” did not mean common action in a specific sphere but indicated that joint efforts are to be made by Britain, France, Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. The British United Press correspondent says the belief is growing that a meeting of the Foreign Ministers’ Council, which includes Russia, may result from the Western Union conference. The correspondent says that economic and financial matters were discussed at the morning session. Mr. Bovin and the other four Foreign Ministers held a private meeting in the afternoon. Profitable Discussions The conference is expected to discuss the Berlin crisis, the Washington joint defence proposals, trading prospects between the live member States, travel facilities and a report on the collaboration in overseas territories dependent on Britain, France, Belgium and Holland. The Dutch Foreign Minister, Baron. Caret van Boetzelaer van Oosterhout opened the morning session. Mr. Bevin and M. Bidault are expected to meet after lunch to discuss the latest position in Berlin. The council will study reports on the defence talks between the United States, Canada and the West Union on broadening the defensive West Union military alliances into a North Atlantic regional defence scheme- They will also consider the report of the military committee which has met constantly in London since May. Baron van Oossterhout, welcoming his colleagues, said: “We receive with both hands the opportunity of making the West Union a practical means of establishing peace in Europe.” , M. Bidault, replying, hinted at an extension of the West Union when he referred to the meeting as a step towards realising the common objectives of peace and reconstruction. “Taken in the first place by us five and, perhaps, later with others.’’ The Paris newspaper L’lntransigeant said the French delegation to The Hague is insisting on a new attempt to bring about a Big Four meeting on Germany.