N.A.T.O. To Plan For Future

Press, Volume C, Issue 29509, 10 May 1961, Page 15

N.A.T.O. To Plan For Future

(A .Z P.A .-Reuter—Copyrighti OSLO, May 9. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s Ministerial Council today will end its analysis of the international situation and go on to discussion of long-term planning for the 15nation alliance.

N.A.T.O.’s new Dutch Secretary-General (Dr. Dirk Stikker) will put before them voluminous documents prepared by the alliance's secretariat on a “new look" for N.A.T.O in the fields of political consultation and economic aid. He thinks discussion of the alliance's long-term future has gone on long enough and that the council should now begin to take firm decisions. The new Belgian Foreign Minister, and until recently N.A.T.O. Secretary-General (Mr Paul-Henri Spaak) told the council last night that the alliance should adapt itself to new conditions. He said the. old military concept of 1949—when the alliance began—was no longer valid and its structure should be revised. Several other Ministers yesterday appealed for cooperation and cohesion among the N.A.T.O. member countries. The council was told yesterday that the United States was prepared to give Thor. Scout or Atlas missiles so that Europe could launch its own space probes. The United States offer was made by the Secretary of State (Mr Ruski. He said the United States wanted to

make full use of N.A.T.O. to develop scientific research in Europe. Diplomatic observers think this may mean the end of Britain's hopes of having the Blue Streak rocket adopted as the first stage of a Euro-pean-Commonwealth space satellite project. The possibility of it meaning the end of the Blue Streak project arises from the attitude of Gen .any. Britain is still having talks on the satellite project with West Germany, and one of the points of difference is that some German leaders have indicated a preference for United States rockets. The offer will strengthen their position. Several Ministers referred to the Berlin problem at yesterday’s council session Mr Dean Rusk, of the United States, was reported by the N.A.T.O. spokesman as saying the United States would consider it a violation of existing agreements if Russia signed a separate peace treaty with East Germany. If the Soviet Union went ahead all the same, the United States would continue to ensure its rights of access to Berlin and guarantee the position of the Western Powers there, he said. Mr Rusk made it clear that the United States had no intention of withdrawing its forces from Europe. The United States considered the Atlantic Pact the very touchstone of its foreign policy, he said Other points made by Mr Rusk were:— Nuclear Teat Talks.—The United States had made no decision to resume tests. Any failure of the Geneva talks would dim the disarmament picture. Disarmament. America hoped to have procedural talks with Russia in June or July, and to complete its own review of disarms: lent policy by July 31. Laos.— The situation was very serious and could jeopardise all South-east Asia. He hoped the threePower commission would succeed in ensuring a ceasefire. America wanted a neutral Laos, and was not looking for military bases. Sooth Vietnam.— The insurgent forces had increased from about 3000 to more than 10.000. The United States intended to discuss with South Vietnam what measures should be taken. Congo. The United Nations military presence was still essential, but they were “over the hump,” he said. The next step was to get a truly national Congolese Army.