Benelux Countries Want Say In Decisions

Chronicle (Levin), 18 February 1948, Page 7

Benelux Countries Want Say In Decisions

Received Tuesdav, 7 p.m: LONbON, Feb. 17. One of the first matters to be decidcd by the tripartite confereuce on tho futurc of Germanv, which opens in London on Februarv 19, is wliether or not the convening parties, Britain, the L nited States and France, will agree to admit the Benelux union (Belgium, tJie Netherlands and Luxemburg) to their deliberations as an equal partner. The Belgian Foreign Alinister, M. 'Spaak, iuade this plaiu during the weekend when, in an interview with the London newspaper, Thc Observer, he said tlie cooperation of Benelux in Mr. Bevin's plans for a Western Lnion, was conclitional unon BeneliiY's i.laimc

# ^ V xui ino cL li equal voice in the administration ot VvT estern Germanv being admitted. Benelux leaders argue fhat no effective union of Western Europe is possible unless the probleni of Germanv is settled and contend that. as elose m>kh.

bours of Germanv and an integral part of Western European ecouomy, they are entitled to an equal voice with Britain, the L nited States and France in whatever forin of administration is iinaliv establislied. The interest of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg in Germanv, is verv elose for without the' revival of their prewar German markets and sources of supply, they canuot set their own houses in order. • M. Spaak 's stand presents Britain, the United States and France with a problem for it is recognised that if the Benelux countries refuse to join any union of Western European States, it . has small chance of succeeding. This, in turn, would gravely endanger the suecess of the Marshall Plau. In his interview with The Observer, M. Spaak said Benelux advocated international control of the Ruhr and the establishment of a decentralised fedeial Western German regime — the same proposal as already made by France. Lcouomieally, Benelux has agreed with Britain that Western Germany should, as soon as possible, be made.a working concern with or without Russian approval. .