Reasons Why Norway Prefers The Atlantic Pact

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 February 1949, Page 5

Reasons Why Norway Prefers The Atlantic Pact

Its Implications; Polite Rejection Of Russian Overtures

LONDON, Feb. 21 (Rec. G pm).—Noe way’s reply to a Russian offer of a non-aggression pact will be a polite rejection and the Government will secure the country’s formal adherence to the North Atlantic Pact as soon as possible, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Oslo correspondent.

Norway’s contribution to the alliance as at present planned would be an expansion of the main harbours and airfields. This would enable her, in case of armed aggression, to receive the fullest possible military aid from the United States and other member States. It is emphasised that this would not be tantamount to granting bases to foreign States in peacetime. It would be purely a Norwegian undertaking carried out by Norwegian personnel under the terms of the regional security group within the framework of the United Nations Charter Such "development would primarily refer to art-fields at Sola, outside Stavanger, Gardemoen, north of Oslo and Trondheim: also the harbours of Kristiansand, Bergen, Trtmdheim and Narvik. Three reasons why the Norwegian Government wants to see the country’s adherence to the Atlantic Pact are: (1) They want a hand in shaping the pact’s final draft. (2) They hope thus to ensure the

highest possible priority on United States arms deliveries. (3) They wish to avoid the suggestion that Russia’s recent diplomatic offensive has shaken their resolve. The correspondent says it is understood the draft, of the pact, as it stands at present, provides: (1) For the establishment of a permanent military commission upon which Norway will be represented (2) Expansion of Norwegian air•fields and harbours. (3) Promise of United States aid to any member State that might be an object of aggression. Norway, in reply to Russia, will probably reiterate peaceful intentions and determination not to grant bases to foreign troops except in the case of direct, immediate and obvious thr.o;t of aggression. Since it is clear from the Soviet Note that there is no danger of aggression from Russia, Norway will maintain, there appears no need for such a pact as Moscow suggests. Norwegian sources received quietly reports of recent Soviet troop movements along the Finnish border They regarded them, in the absence of further information, as having more a basis in propaganda than truth.