MORE AUTHORITY FOR WEST GERMAN REPUBLIC PLANNED

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 April 1950, Page 5

MORE AUTHORITY FOR WEST GERMAN REPUBLIC PLANNED

NEW YORK, April 26 (Recd. 9.15 pm).—The United States was now discussing new proposals to increase the authority of the West German Republic to bring it into a closer tie with the North Atlantic nations, the “New York Times” diplomatic corresponent reported today. The proposals were: Firstly, formation of a new Atlantic Council to coordinate the economic and political policies of non-Communist Atlantic States, including West Germany. It would serve as a successor to the European Recovery Programme; secondly, a bolder suggestion that the Allies’ occupation statute for Germany should be revised to give the Bonn Governme’A larger control over foreign policy. The aim would be to prepare the way for inviting West Germany to join the North Atlantic Treaty. The correspondent said the first proposal would not raise the question of rearming Germany in any way. However, the second raised the possibility of Germany’s participation in defence of the North Atlantic community, either directly or indirectly as part of the North Atlantic armed force with non-German command. These questions were now before offiefals preparing for next month’s meeting of Foreign Ministers in Lon» don. They were expected to be privately explored in the meantime by the United States Ambassador at Large, Dr. Philip Jessup.