TALKS WITH RUSSIA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 106, 17 February 1950, Page 3

TALKS WITH RUSSIA

ATTITUDE OF AMERICA

“ALU POSSIBLE DOORS

OPEN”

(N.Z.P. A—Copyright) LONDON, Feb.l6. The United States was “prepared to discuss outstanding issues with the Soviet Union and to leave all possible doors open for an exchange of views,” said Mr Dean Rusk, the United States Deputy Under-Secretary of State, in Washington to-day, Mr Rusk said that an exchange of views could come through the United Nations or “the ordinary channels of diplomacy.” He emphasised, however, that the United States was not willing to “sit down in a corner” with Russia and distcuss problems affecting other nations. “We, have insisted upon a proper forum because we believe we cannot, build for the future unless those who have a genuine interest in the matter can be heard and take part in the final decision,” Mr RuSk said. He added: “The record of the last eight years will show the unusual effort that has beep made by the United States and the Western world in taking the initiative to find possible points of understanding with the Soviet Union. The initiative has been continuous and persistent. On the other hand, there have been remarkably few instances of initiative on the part of the Soviet Union to find common points of contact with the West.” iMr Rusk said that the United Nations Charter was a basic overall agreement with the Soviet Union. “We don’t need another overall agreement. We need .performance on the ones we already have. If Russia would, abide by the basic provisions of the Cliartei*, American-Soviet relations would become tolerable.”

Mr Beviri’s Broadcast ¥

In an election speech broadcast last night Mr Bevin said that Britain would be ready to fenter into discussions on abolishing the possibility of war if Russia showed the slightest change in her attitude.

Although making no direct reference to Mr Churchill’s call for a Big Three meeting, Mr Bevin said- that the problem of international control of atomic energy could: not be solved by “stunt” proposals.

“We must continue to work for an agreement through the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission.” Mr Bevin said that Britain was in constant touch with the United States on the problems of atomic energy. He added: “In view of the heavy responsibilities which rest with them, we must consult them at every step.” ■ Speaking' in deliberate, stolid tones, Mr Bevin said that every effort made by Britain and the United States to get international control had failed. “Russia is a closed book, and at present her people are being more cut off than ever, but if peace is her objective, as it is ours, the inspection and control of atomic energy is not to© great a price to pay.” Mr Bevin added that the Labour Party would continue the foreign policy of the last five years if reelected. .“We will try to build up security wherever we can, expand trade, give assistance where possible, and, if Russia shows the slightest change of attitude and indicates readiness to settle these relationships and give the world complete peace, then we shall be ready to enter into discussions with the object of abolishing the possibility of war and enabling all nations to co-operate with each other.” Mr Bevin said that Britain’s proposals on Germany would have allowed her to get on her feet and return to the comity of nations, but agreement could not be reached with Russia after months of endeavour. Everything seemed hopeless after the London meeting" of the Council of Foreign Ministers in 1947. “We had, therefore, to act in concert with those friends with whom we could agree to provide a measure of safety for these islands, and for each other.”

Changes in Middle East *

v Mr Bevin said there had been great changes in the Middle and Far East. * objective has always been the fullest'co-operation between East and West. We are all interdependent. The

Commonwealth countries, Europe, toe s Western Hemisphere, and Asia must stand together if they are to survive. I feel that this solidarity will ultimately be achieved.” “The Times,” in a leading' article, says: “Even if Mr Truman and the next British Prime Minister were to fly to Moscow to talk with Mr Stalin there would stTll remain the question of what they should discuss. Would it be wiser to concentrate on one subject like the control of atomic energy, however hopeless that may appear, or to try to find some all-embracing formula to cover the whole world and the full range of the cold war? Mr Churchjll evidently puts his faith in the latter. He seeks a final settlement—the ending ..of the cold war by a single stroke.

“It is not easy to see how this could be done, although it is not necessarily impossible. If the attempt failed the position might be worse than before. The natural conclusion would then be that no compromise is possible, and that both sides must prepare for war. “Mr Churchill himself frankly recognises this possibility when he warns the Western Powers not to cast away their only shield of safety—that is, American superiority in atomic weapons—unless they can find something better, surer, and more likely to last.”

BARRAGE OF* QUESTIONS V PRESIDENT’S PRESS CONFERENCE (Rec. 10.55) WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. President Truman said to-day that the United States’ doors were always open to peace negotiations, but the next meeting with Mr Stalin would

have to take place in Washington. He gave a firm “no comment” when asked about 1 Mr Churchill’s suggestion -that another talk with Mr Stalin might be held to end the cold war. President Truman was speaking at his weekly press conference, • where he faced a barrage of questions about the possibility of a new approach to Mr Stalin to end the cold war.

President Truman specifically stated that he, did not think the time had come to send a special mission to Russia along the lines of the mission which he' considered sending in 1948 qnder Chief Justice Fred Vinson.

When asked whether he would endorse such world Government proposals as the Atlantic Union plan now being discussed by Congress as a means removing the threat of hydrogen bomb warfare, the President replied that he did not think now was the proper time to press for such organisations. He added that there were other much more important matters to think of.

President Truman said the United States was ready to negotiate on any questions that might come up in the world, and its ambassadors in every capital were available for consultations. He' added that proposals for international atomic energy controls should be dealt with by the United Nations, which had ample negotiating machinery. *