DEFENCE MINISTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27392, 18 May 1950, Page 7

DEFENCE MINISTER

Appointment Discussed WESTERN UNION REGION NZPA—Copyright Rec. 7.55 p.m. LONDON, May 17. The 12 Atlantic Treaty nations are considering a proposal for the appointment of a Minister of Defence for the Western Union region comprising Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. This is regarded as the key area of the West European defence system since, with the assistance of American occupation troops, it carries the responsibility for the defence of the West German Republic against any possible armed attack by Russia. The proposal is for the appointment of a permanent secretariat or steering committee which would integrate each nation’s military, economic, and political policies, and the European members of the Atlantic Treaty are anxious that the chairman of that new body, who would have the full authority of a supranational defence Minister, should be nominated by the. United States. It is also considered that it is essential that he should be a civilian. In the majority view, that excluded General Dwight D. Eisenhower, although he is now in civilian life.

The United States hitherto has shown a reluctance to take an active part in European regional defence planning staffs, but it is felt in London that President Truman might be prepared to release one of his leading statesmen to take on the new post, which would be of the highest importance. Its holder would become virtually tne supreme head of the principal democratic defence agencies engaged in the cold war in West Europe.