Evening star., 1963-01-25


been expressing confidence
that the tide of history" is
running toward transatlantic
union despite Gen. de Gaulle's
open opposition to Britain's
entry into the Common Market
and to Washington plans for
unified nuclear defense, the
President hazarded no OPP
timism.
Instead, he concentrated on
the dire consequences Of dis
unity If 1t we're allowed to de-
velop.
Names NATO NegOtiatOr
Less than two hours after
his press conference ended, the
President announced appoint
ment of veteran diplomat Liv-
ingston Merchant to lead g.
Government task force to pre-
pare and negotiate American
proposals for q NATO multi
lateral force.
Mr.. Merchant, q former Un-
dersecretary of State in the
Eisenhower administration and
a career diplomat highly re-
garded in Western Europe, was
called out Of retirement.
To work with him as his chief
assistants, Mr.. Kennedy named
Gerard c. Smith, former AS
sistant Secretary Of State for
Policy Planning in the Eisen-
hover administration, and Rear
Admiral John M. Lee Of the
Defense Department. Mr..
Smith and Admiral Lee partici-
pated in a mission which con-
suited with allied leaders last
year on the problems Of form
ing the NATO nuclear force.
On two occasions during his
session with newsmen Mr.. Ken
nedy expressed alarm that the
Communists could continue to
expand II the United States
and Europe allowed themselves
to become estranged.
In unity, he said in his pre-
pared opening statement, the
Atlantic alliance has ample
strength to hold back the ex-
pansion Of communism until
such time as it loses its force
and momentum. Acting alone,
neither the United States nor
Europe could be certain Of
success and survival"
Discussing administration
hopes for cooperation in trade
with the European Common
Market, the President dis
claimed any United States de-
sire to influence or dominate
the alliance.
What we desire to do" he
said, lis to see Europe and the
United States together en-
gagged in the struggle in other
parts Of the world. We cannot
possibly survive If Europe and
the United States are rich and
prosperous and isolated e.
when success is in sight, we
don't want to see this great
partnership dissolved"
This was the first hint that
the President foresaw the pos
sible dissolution of the trans
atlantic partnership as the ulti-
mate consequence Of British
failure to enter the six-nation
European Common Market.
THE day may come when
Europe will not need the
United States and its guar
antees," the President COM
mented. II don't think that day
has come yet, but 1t may come
and we would welcome that"
Rejects Defense Doubts
Mr.. Kennedy scoffed at
claims, attributed to President
de Gaulle, that United States
action in the Cuban crisis
raised doubts whether the
United States would defend
Europe.
THAT is q peculiar logic"
he declared. "If we had not
acted in Cuba. that would have
proved we would defend Eu-
rope? I don't think 1t would"
He said France cannot JUS
tify its drive for an independ-
ent nuclear force on the
grounds that the United States
would fail to defend Europe.
Soviet Premier Khrushchev
expects the United States TO
stand by its commitments,
even II some parts Of Europe"
may not, Mr.. Kennedy observed
tartly, and I think he is
right"
France can decide for itself
to develop its own nuclear de-
terrent, Mr.. Kennedy acknowl-
edged, but he showed he was
stung by the French Presi-
dents failure to trust a long
time ally.
II have never had the slight
est doubt that Gen. de Gaulle
would respond to the needs OF
the alliance. He responded
when we we're in difficulty in
Cuba. I would hope that our
confidence In him would be
matched by his confidence in
US" Mr.. Kennedy said.
To Ask Trade Authority
Mr.. Kennedy also dealt with
another European trade mat
ter, last years congressional
action Withdrawing most IA
vored nation treatment for
Communist Poland and Yugo-
slavia.
He said he would recon-
mend 10 Congress a measure
leaving II TO presidential dis
cretion whether 10 revoke
most-favored nation privileges.
The present law denies the
United States opportunities 10
exploit differences behind the
Iron Curtain. the President