ATLANTIC PACT BINDS POWERS TO “USE ARMED FORCE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22890, 9 March 1949, Page 7

ATLANTIC PACT BINDS POWERS TO “USE ARMED FORCE”

(10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Mar. 8. The Chicago. Sun-Times, in a despatch from its London correspondent, says the proposed North Atlantic Security Pact binds the signatory nations to the “use of armed force” if any of them is attacked."

The Sun-Times story lists 12 articles which, it claims, are the first known details of the proposed alliance. The key provision, according to the Sun-Times, states: “An attack against one or more of the parties, both in Europe and North America, will be considered as an attack against all. In consequence, they will assist the party or parties attacked by taking immediately, both individually and collectively, such action, including the use of armed force, that is deemed necessary to restore and maintain security.” According to the Sun-Times, the pact states that the armed force provision should not be interpreted as affecting the mechanisms provided in the United Nations Charter and that “any armed attack will be reported to the Security Council.” Definition of Area. The signatories “solemnly declare that this treaty does not contradict any engagement now in force between any of the signatories and any third party.” Another important provision defines the area in which the alliance operates. The provision, according to the Sun-Times, reads: “An armed attack on the area of any of the parties in Europe North America and Algeria or against tfie military forces of parties in Europe or against any territory, island possession. vessel or aircraft in the North Atlantic area would be deemed an attack."

It was the “armed force” provision that caused a diplomatic flurry because some members of the Senate Foreign Relatione Committee believe it went too far in committing the United States, while some major Powers, such as France, thought it did not go far enough.