Evening star., 1949-03-13
U. 5. Reassures Danes
On Greenland Bases
Under Atlantic Pact
By Gornett D. Horner


The projected North Atlantic
pact joint defense system should
provide a framework for solution
Of the vexing problem of air bases
on Greenland, American officials
told Danish Foreign Minister
Gustav Rasmussen yesterday.
Mr.. Rasmussen, here on flying
visit to learn what it would. mean
for Denmark to join the alliance
linking North American and
Western European defenses, con-
ferred for an hour and 40 minutes
with State Department experts.
He told reporters later that the
"Greenland problem" was among
the things discussed.
Formula Long Sought.
The problem involves DISPOSE
ton of air bases which the United
States established under a World
War II agreement on the stra-
tegic Danish island in the North
Atlantic. now of vital Importance
In any possible war with Russia
Efforts to find a formula for con-
tinued American operation of the
bases, compatible with Danish
sovereignty over Greenland, have
been snagged for nearly two
years.
Mr.. Rasmussen refused to dis
close details of yesterdays dis
cussion. 1t was learned elsewhere,
however, that American officials
emphasized that one of the OBJ
jectives of the North Atlantic pact
is to set up system for co-opera-
tive action by the signatory ma
tions to strengthen the defenses
of the whole Atlantic area. Il
Military strategists of the North
Atlantic nations will have to de-l
eide what air base and other IA,
cilities are necessary for their
common defense and who shall
operate them, it was pointed out.
It is in this framework that the
question of bases in Greenland
may be settled, if Denmark en-
tiers the alliance.
Iceland Sending Delegation.
Similar considerations make it
desirable for Iceland and Portu-
gal to join in the pact. American
military authorities consider bases
In Iceland and Portugal's Azores,
as we'll as Greenland. of vital i'm
portance to the security of the
entire Atlantic community.
An official Icelandic delegation
planned to leave last night by
plane for the United States to
confer on the pact, the Associated
Press reported.
Foreign Minister Bjarni Bene-
diktsson heads the delegation.
Chosen to accompany the for
eign minister were Trade Minister
Emil JonSson and Justice Minis
ter Eysteinn Jonsson.
Portugal is understood to be
favorable toward the pact, but
she has made no formal move
toward joining it so far.
The Danish Foreign Minister,
who conferred briefly Friday with
Secretary of State Acheson. met
yesterday with State Department
Counselor Charles E. Bohlen, As
Nstant Secretary Ernest A. Gross,
John D. Hickerson, director Of the
departments Office of European
Affairs, and other experts.
Answers Satisfactory.
Mr.. Rasmussen said several
points regarding the implications
Of the pact" we're discussed, in
cluding prospects for American
re-armament aid as well as the
Greenland problem.
Il raised various questions" he
added. Asked if he received salts
factory answers. he replied Il
think I can say that" although
some of the questions were of
nature that could not expect a
detailed answer Immediately"
On the Greenland problem, Mr..
Rasmussen said he does not ex-
pect any immediate solution and
was not seeking any.
Declaring that his talks here
50 far were very satisfactory,
he expects to see Mr.. Acheson
again tomorrow or Tuesday and
probably leave Tuesday night to
report to his government in Co.
penhagen. His report is expected
to bring prompt decision for
Denmark to join in the Atlantic
treaty.
The nations which have drafted
the treaty for probable publication
next Friday and signing in Wash
tngton during the first week of
April are the United States,
Canada. Great Britain, France,
Belgium. the Netherlands, Lux
embourg and Norway. Italy has
announced it's intention to join.
Would Fight Aggression.
Primary objective of the pact
is to discourage any possible Rus
sian war move by making clear
in advance the determination of
the signatory nations to fight ag-
gression from any quarter. Treaty
signers will be pledged to regard
an attack on any one of them as
an attack on all, and to take such
action, including the use of
armed forces, as they consider
necessary to meet the attack.
To make the treaty effective,
machinery for joint defense plan
ming will be necessary. Under the
mutual aid. self-help concept of
the pact, each member nation will
be expected to contribute some
thing to the joint defense organ