WHAT BIG THREE HAVE DECIDED

Grey River Argus, 12 November 1949, Page 5

WHAT BIG THREE HAVE DECIDED

N.Z.P.A.—Reuter, (Rec 11.0) PARIS, Nov 11. Observers consider that the Foreign Ministers’ communique means that they intend to extend the power of the West German Government as it gave proof of peace and democratic intentions.

The Ministers’ instructions to the ■High Commissioners, which will not be made public until lhe German Federal Government has been informed of the conference decisions were expected to form a basis of immediate negotiations between the Commissioners and the West German Chancellor, Dr. Adenauer. Reading between the lines of the communique most observers agreed, firstly, that a common dismantling policy has now been agreed to b v the three octipying Powers and been endorsed by the Benelux group, the representatives of which joined the Big Three Ministers at one session. Observers secondly agree that Germany, in exchange for the discontinuance of the dismantling of the factories wili be asked to supply security guarantees to the Western Powers; and, thirdly, that the United States, through Mr Dean Acheson, has agreed to Germany’s admission as an associate member oi the Council of Europe.

A British spokesman said there had been complete agreement between the three Foreign Ministers on instructions to be issued to the High Commissioners for the coming negotiations with the West German Government. The High Commissioners are returning to Germany immediately. and this was taken as meaning that the French Cabinet has now authorised M. Schuman to endorse dismantling proposals that were worked out in his tripartite meeting with Messrs Acheson and Bevin. LONDON, Nov 10. Eleven United States officials of State and Defence Departments will arrive in London tomorrow to discuss the share-out of 1,000,000,000 dollars worth of American arms among the eight European member States of the North Atlantic Pact. A second party is on its way to Rome and a third will go to Oslo and Copenhagen. The group at London will meet representatives from Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxemburg. Britain and France will get the major share of the aid. According to informed sources, it will consist chiefly of artillery, anti-tank guns, motorised vehicles and other equipment for ground troops, pistonengined planes —mainly fighters and light bombers—and small vessels. Britain may get some 829 Superfortresses.