Evening star., 1947-07-03
BY the Associated Press

majority of European countries are
known to have no nation wide eco
nomic programs of their own. With
q view to celebrating such COM
prehensive European program 1t is
proposed to set up special organ
ization charged with assessing the
resources and needs of European
countries and even with determining
the development of the main
branches of industry OF these coun-
tries and only after that with ascer-
tanning the possibilities of receiving
American economic aid.
Therefore, the question of Amer
ican economic aid of which indeed
nothing definite Is yet known has
now provided an occasion for the
British and French governments to
seek the creation of new organiza-
ton standing over and above the
countries of Europe and interfering
in their internal affairs down to de-
terrnining the line of development
to be followed by the main branches
of industry in these countries. Fur
thermore, Great Britain and France
together with the countries close to
them are laying claim to predom-
inant position in this organization,
or in the so-called steering COM
mittee" for Europe as it has been
named in the British draft.
Verbal reservations are now being
made to the effect that this organ
ization would allegedly not inter-
vene in the internal affairs of these
states and would not encroach upon
their sovereignty. But it clearly fol-
lows from the tasks which are being
set before this organization or before
the steering committee" that the
European countries would find them
selves placed under control and
would lose their former economic
and national independence because
it so pleases certain strong powers.
Outside Pressure Feared.
In any case it Is now suggested
that the possibility of American
aid being received by this or that
country involves an obedient atti-
tude on its part vis-a-vis the above
mentioned organization and its
steering committee"
Where is this likely to lead?
Today pressure might be put on
Poland to produce more coal even
though it be at the expense of the
other branches of Polish industry
because that is in, the interest of
certain European countries; tomor-
row it will be said that Czechoslo-
vakia must be required to increase
her agricultural production and TO
reduce her engineering industry and
it will be proposed that Czechoslo-
vakia should receive machinery from
other European countries wishing to
sell goods at higher prices.
| Or, as the newspapers recently
reported, Norway will be compelled
to discontinue the development of
ner steel industry because that is
more convenient to certain foreign
steel corporations, etc.
What would then remain of the
economic independence and sover-
eighty of such European countries? :?
Under these conditions how would
the small countries and in general
the less powerful states be able to
safeguard their national economies
and independence?
The Soviet government certainly
cannot venture along this path and
continues to support its proposals
put forth at this conference June 30.
Nor does the Soviet government
share the enthusiasm regarding
foreign support made apparent in
the last French draft.
FOrsees Controls by U. s.
When efforts are directed toward
Europe helping herself in the first
place and developing her economic
potentialities as well as the ex-
change of goods between countries,
such efforts are in conformity with
the interests of the countries of
Europe. When, however, it is stated
as in the French proposal that the
decisive hold on the rehabilitation
of the economic life of European
countries should belong to the
United States and not to the Euro
pean countries themselves, such q
position stands in contradiction to
the interests of European countries
since it might lead to denial OF
their economic independence, which
denial is incompatible with national
sovereignty.
The Soviet delegation believes
that internal measures and the
national efforts of each country
should have a decisive Importance
for the countries of Europe and
not make calculations for foreign
support which should be OF sec
ondary Importance. The Soviet
Union has always counted above
all on its own powers and is known
to be on a steady way OF progress
of its economic life.
The first form of cooperation is
based on the development OF pollt-
ical and economic relations between
states possessing equal rights and
in that case their national sover-
eighty does not suffer from foreign
interference.
Such is the democratic basis for
international cooperation which
brings nations closer together and
facilitates the task of their mutual
aid.
There exists, however, different
form of international cooperation
based on the predominant position
of one of several strong powers in
relation to other countries which
slip into the position of subordinated
countries deprived of their inde-
4 pendence.
French Plan Rejected.
It is perfectly obvious that the
first form of cooperation between
states when they act as parties
possessing equal rights is radically
different from the second form OF
international cooperation, when
this principle is not observed.
The Soviet government, while IA
voring the development Of interna-
tional collaboration on the basis
of equal rights and mutual respect
for the interests Of the contracting
parties, cannot lend its assistance
to any one in arranging his affairs
~ tho ovporco nf other countries