ARMS SHIPMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27267, 19 December 1949, Page 5

ARMS SHIPMENTS

ATLANTIC TREATY NATIONS NEGOTIATIONS DELAYED NZPA—Copyright WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. Negotiation of most of the bilateral agreements for American arms to the North Atlantic Treaty countries has been delayed, pending clarification of the United States’ attitude. Arms shipments tentatively scheduled for January may consequently be postponed. The North Atlantic countries are awaiting clarification of the United States position on certain objections raised by Britain and other Powers to conditions to which they must agree before receiving arms. The Ambassadors of these countries have submitted to the State Department comments and criticisms of draft agreements outlining conditions in accordance with the United States arms aid legislation. Reuter says that Britain and some other Powers regard the wording of some of the most vital clauses in the draft as loose and open to misinterpretation which might lead to misunderstandings. Britain believes that she and other Powers may be called on to supply arms to neighbours which they may not be able to supply without endangering their own economic and military security. The British Government’s view is that it may have to undertake heavy expenditure for providing facilities for United States forces which may in an emergency be stationed in Britain. Such expenditure may exceed the value of military supplies Britain is scheduled to receive under the arms aSid programme. Britain also objects to the wording of a clause to prevent Britain exporting to other countries items “similar” to items which Britain would receive under the programme. The clause as now worded may be interpreted to limit Bi-itain’s export drive. For example, Britain may be criticised for exporting motor cars when she is receiving similar vehicles. Britain and other countries object to a clause preventing them from sending outside the North Atlantic Treaty area weapons supplied under the programme.