COUNTER TO POSSIBLE SOVIET AGGRESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27311, 10 February 1950, Page 7

COUNTER TO POSSIBLE SOVIET AGGRESSION

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright

Kec. 9.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 9. The United States was trying to develop areas of strength in the world as one means of countering a possible breach of world peace by Russia,, said the Secretary of State, Mr Dean Acheson, today.

He said: “We are trying to extend the area of possible agreement with the Soviet Union by creating situations so strong that out of them can be grown agreement.” Speaking on the difficulties of negotiation with Russia, Mr Acheson said: “We must understand the nature of the Russian Government. Its outstanding characteristic is purposefulness. In part its nature is ideological, in part imperialistic; on the whole its nature is quite incompatible with the accomplishment of peace and world freedom.”

Mr Acheson said, however, that Russia was highly realistic and could adjust itself to facts. He said the Russians agreed to lift the Berlin blockade when it “ became not to their advantage to continue obstruction.” Similarly, the West had been able to reach understandings with Russia on Greece and Turkey only when Soviet efforts to control those areas had been thwarted.

He said: “Agreements with the Soviet Union are sound when they register existing facts. The task of creating situations so strong that they can be recognised by the Russians is a hard job that takes very steady nerves.” He said that four years of trying to reach agreement with Russia had convinced the United States that the goal of peace could not btf reached by

negotiation alone. War had created situations of weakness all over the world, and “ each is an irresistible invitation to the Soviet Government to fish in troubled waters.” Mr Acheson said that, although the United States was not considering a fresh approach to the Soviet Union in an effort to obtain agreement for the international control of atomic energy, the position was subject to constant