Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-11
LONDON
Labor Party Unites
At Middle of Rood

AGAlhAlA TINS AAAul luHAAOiA 4OA
themselves. but also for the
Germans and ultimately per-
hsps, the French as well. The
idea essentially goes back to
President Charles de Gaulle's
[ proposal for a restricted "di-
rectorate" within the NATO
alliance which would in effect
be responsible for It's nuclear
policies.
/ Labor leaders-as they have
often said publicly-are strong
ly opposed to American pro-
posals for a mixed. manned
multi-lateral nuclear force for
NATO. They believe that par
ticipation in such a force would
not in itself give them the
voice they want in overall war
planning. They feel that its
cost is excessive in relation to
its military value and doubt its
political Importance.
Indeed. If their demands for
.nuclear consultation with the
United States are turned down,
a far more radical alternative
is contemplated. 1t is to throw
in Britain's lot with France in
the development of a European
nuclear deterrent independent
OF the United States.
Needless to say, any such
step that runs counter to the
main line of their foreign.
policy would be taken with
huge reluctance. 1t is never
mentioned publicly, even as a
possibility. 1t is discussed
privately with no real en-
thusiasm or conviction.
But nevertheless it is a.
definite element in current
thinking on the nuclear prob
lem. And an element to give
Americans food for thought.
European POlicy-There is
no question of reopening formal
on Britain's entry
into the Common Market as
long as Gen. de Gaulle is in
power-which threatens to be
for some time-unless partici-
patton in the European de-
terrent changes the whole pres
ent picture.
Labor leaders are not con- |
WINGED that even the disap-
pearance Of Gen. de Gaulle /
would clear the way into
Europe or change the basic
"anti-Anglo-Saxon" complex |
ion of the present Common
Market secretariat. /
For the time being at least, /
any diplomatic effort in Europe
would be to detach Germany
from its alliance with France
"a classic British exercise. In
side European economic insti-
tutions, Britain would work to
mitigate the restrictive and
protective tendencies Of the
Common Market group. /
German Problem
There is a lively recognition
Of the need to develop a sensi- !
BILE policy toward Germany If
Britain is to play any signifi-
cant role in Europe over the
next five years. Anti-German- |
ism is probably stronger in
Britain today than anywhere
else in Western Europe land
stronger in the Labor Party
than in Britain as a whole).
Berlin Mayor Willy Brandt's
appearance before the Labor
congress was the first step to
cope with this problem and
others will follow. /
On the German side, there
is hope of a certain liberali-
cation Of outlook with the de-
parture Of Konrad Adenauer.
For their part Laborites are
rapidly modifying their ideas
on the touchy questions Of rec
East Germany and
the possibility of "disengage-
nent" in General Europe.
AS things stand now a Labor
government would recognize"
East Germany only to the ex-
.ent of signing an agreement
With the East German govern
nent, on Berlin for instance,
which was obviously favorable
10 the West and to which a
of other countries were
also parties.
Disbursement in Germany
Is now seen only in the context 1
Of an agreement with Russia on
the prevention of surprise at
Jack. The real disagreement
Of forces-an idea which Labor
leaders were once fond of evok-
lng-is now seen only as a
remote and ultimate possibility
resulting from general settle
ment Of European cold war
problems.