FEAR OF INSECURITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26981, 17 January 1949, Page 5

FEAR OF INSECURITY

UNCERTAINTY AMONG FREE , NATIONS

REASON FOR ATLANTIC PACT NZPA—Copyright. Rec. 8 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 15. Russia’s obstructionist policies had undermined the United Nations and driven the free nations into forming a North Atlantic security alliance, said the State Department in a statement issued to-day. issued to-day. The Department said collective action by free nations was necessary because of dissension in the United Nations, the growth of fear of insecurity in the world and the Russian refusal to co-operate to eliminate the cause of fear. The State Department released the statement after disclosing that seven nations working on the North Atlantic Pact hoped to bring five more strategical situated nations into the secret talks. These five nations are Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Iceland and Ireland. The statement' said: “ The final result, if not the aim of the Soviet programme, has been to weaken the effectiveness of the United Nations and shake the confidence of many people in it as an instrument of peace. The resultant widespread fear and uncertainty have created a situation in which forward looking governments have begun to seek additional means of preserving peace in keeping with the principles of the United Nations Charter. If left unchecked, fear of insecurity could paralyse the recovery efforts of Western Europe. Security must be restored if world recovery is to progress. “Since the threat of armed aggression is at the root of insecurity, collective action which would enable the free nations to confront the potential aggressor with preponderant power, together with economic recovery and political stability, provides the only satisfactory antidote to fear.” After referring to Communist efforts to dominate or weaken governments, especially' in France and Italy, and Russia’s efforts to consolidate Communist control in Eastern Europe and stamp out freedom, the State Department urged American diplomatic and military support for the five Western European nations who formed the Brussels Pact. This support was essential if they were to resist aggression effectively.