FRANCE NOW CONCILIATORY TO WEST GERMANY

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1949, Page 5

FRANCE NOW CONCILIATORY TO WEST GERMANY

BIG THREE BEGIN TALKS (Rec. 11.30) LONDON, Nov. 9 Reuter’s correspondent at Paris says: The British, French and United States Foreign Mnisters began at the Quai d’Orsay at 9.30 a.m, G.M.T., a conference at. which they are expected to take vital decisions on the future of Western Germany, particularly on the dismantling policy. The Associated Press Paris correspondent says: One result of the Three Power talks may be the ending of the technical start of war still existing between Germany and the allies. Germany, it is reported, might then be allowed to have consular and commercial representatives in western capitals. A British spokesman, however, said there would, be flat opposition to any plan permitting the West German Government to run its foreign policy. This would merely permit Germans to play one ■ nation off against another.

A British United Press correspondent in Bonn quotes Herr Franz Bluecher, West German Vice-Chan-cellor as saying that the Germans wanted to be German Europeans with equal rights, and that if the Paris talks were conducted in tins spirit, it could be a fine step towards the. further strengthening of the European idea. (Rec 11.50) LONDON, Nov 9. _ The Times correspondent at Paris says: The French attitude in the thyee-Fower conference on Allied policy towards Western Germany will hinge on the fact that France has not proposed the conference. In other words, the French Government still takes its stand on the existing agreements relating to Germany, and it does not I'esl called upon to make any proposals. The French Government is, however, very much alive to the favourable atmosphere which Dr Adenauer, the West German Prime Minister, has sought to create, in his recent declaration on Franco-German relatipns. Dr Adenauer has shown a recognition that the French anxieties about security, whether they are well or ill-founded, must receive satisfaction. This recognition is regarded in Paris as being the most promisingfeature for the future of Franco-Ger-man relations, and as one which should be requited. Whatever proposals are made to ease the relations between Germany and the Western Powers, and whoever puts them forward, the French Government is, therefore, willing to examine them on a tripartite basis. But it is emphasised that, if there is to be any change in th G existing arrangements, the French will expect something in return for what, they give. This applies particularly to the concessions made to Germans in regard to the agreement for the dismantling of factories by Allies in Western Germany.