CONTROL OF GERMANY

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1948, Page 5

CONTROL OF GERMANY

(N.Z.P.A,

r^Reuter,

Substanfial Agreement In Six-Power Talks

Comjriaht)

Keceived Snnday, y,30 p.in. LQNPON, March 6. The Six-Power Conferenee pn Western Germany agreed on a nnmber oi recominendations reggrding the internatiQpal eontrol of the Ruhr for sijdmission to the partieipating Govern-men-ts — the United States, Frapce, Britain, Belgium, Holland .and Luxemburg, stat.es a PQroign Olhce eomniivniqne. Ofher - recommendations incJucte cdose economic assooiation between Western Germany and Western Europe, ftdequate representation for the British-American zone and tlie French zone on anv •continuing ofganisation to handle Alarshall aid for Europe, and co-ordinating as far as possible of the economic policies of tne three' zones in foreign trade, transpon and customs without' actual inergmg of the Fr-encli zone. The conferenee, which opened 011 February 23, made important progress ;ana went into recess to-day and would resume its diseussions in April to reacn conel-usions on the remaining questions. Tlie cont'erence did not in auy vvav preclude a Pour-Povver agreement, but could not further delay tlie ecouumic reconstruction of W6stern Europe, ineludiag Germany, and the estahlisninent of a basis for a demacratic Germany to- participate in the community of free peoples. The conferenee held over until the next session detailed discussion ot security and territoria] questions. The delegates agreed in principle on recommendations for the association oi the Benelux countries in the policy regarding Germany. The communique adds:- "The conferenee reached a wide measure " oi agreement on controversial matters relating to the possi'nle evolution of a political and economic organisation for Western Gerinany. It considered ttiai a Federal Govemment with adequaic central authority but adequately pro tecting the rights of tlie States woiuu be best for the eventual re-establshnient of German unity. " Reuter's diplomatic correspondent says the talks represent an important ad'vance in the Western Powers ' ap jiroach to Germany by, firstlj", publiciy recognising the urgent need for action in Western Germany to renvedy the chaotic siluation caused by the four occupving Powers fnili-ng to agreo> 011 a policy; secondly, without ostulilishmg a trizonia, it fofeshadows. .mQasiires for maki.ng Westerm Germany an /economic q-bole; tbirdly, it means ». German representation at ' the comi.ng ;ALarsl]aii Plftn talks ;in Paris. • • : ' • Tlie London-Fonference. on .Ge-rmany held its finalr session^ says Keutor's diplomatic correspondent, and the British, American,- Prenoh and ^onetux delegations will no.w- -su b.mi-t .urpoEtani recom mendatlions tp tli.eif iGwqrnpieqts. The policy of 1 meeting; in secret appqars to have i'acilitated! a w-ide • measure of agreement. '-■: . The French Foreign Office announcea that Italv, B.elgium, Norway, Luxem burg, Bwed'cn, Tnrkey, aird Greoce have accepted ihe Anglo-French -invitat ions to the Alarshall Plan Conferenee i'u Paris on Alarch 15. • '