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NATIONS IN THE MIDDLE SEEK POLICIES IN THE MIDDLE
France, W.Germany seek moderation
Stabilisation rather than detente
From IAN MURRAY, in Paris
FrANCE and West Germany have
closed ranks and pyt up a firm front
against two dangers which their leaders
believe threaten Europe: President
Reagan's America and Mrs Thatcher's
Britain.
The threat from America envisaged dur
ing Friday's and Saturday's talks between
the Chancellor, Mr Schmidt, and President
Giscard d'Estaing during the 37th summit
between the two countries, was that Mr
Reagan's tough line could deprive Europe of
a meaningful independent voice in dealing
with the Soviet Union.
Predictably, the threat envisaged from
Britain was that Mrs Thatcher would not
heed the spirit of the Treaty of Rome and
would thwart attempts to adopt a common
fisheries policy, to fix an increase in agricul
tural price, and agree to a phasing out of
compensatory payments.
The perfect harmony which seems to
shine through the final statement agreed by
the two summit delegations would indicate
that Britain can expect a united front from
France and West Germany when it comes
to the Brussels negotiations over the Euro
pean budget, and any alterations in the
common agricultural policy.
Finding a rapid solution to the difficulties
which have hindered the creation of a com
mon fisheries policy occupied much of the
discussions on Europe. Both France and
West Germany are being forced to prop up
their fishing industries and the two leaders
agreed that a solution must be found soon.
As a result, it was agreed that Mr
Schmidt would seek an early meeting with
Mrs Thatcher to try to impress this on her.
For Mr Schmidt the most important part of
the statement was that dealing with defence.
Both countries reaffirmed their loyalty to
NATO, but at the same time agreed to work
together to set up a European disarmament
conference.
The statement outlined the three require
ments the two countries believed that to be
met for the "stabilisation" of East-West
relations. ("Stabilisation" rather than "de
tente" is what Mr Giscard has said is now
the objective of policies toward the Soviet
bloc).
These requirements were: a security bal
ance, moderation in political behaviour, and
equality of responsibility towards the "great
problems" of the world.
The desired security balance would be
achieved by refusing either to accept a
position of weakness or to seek military
superiority.
The call for moderation was clearly aimed
at both Mr Reagan and the Kremlin. It
should be moderation according to the con
ditions in the Helsinki Agreement. This
meant that Poland would have to be allowed
to solve its own problems peacefully and
without external interference.
The "great problems" of the world were
those of pover.ty, hunger and the quest for
economic stability through a more moderate
evolution of oil prices.
The statement ended with the somewhat
unctuous suggestion that overcoming the
difficulties of the European Community,
improving Europe's political cohesion and
assuring the stability of the economy were
the conditions needed to ensure that Europe
conformed to its historic role.
Both countries agreed that the Japanese
market should be opened to more European
imports, while Japanese manufacturers
would have to show more restraint in selling
to Europe.
The apparent unity on most points was
important to Mr Giscard. His close rela
tionship with Mr Schmidt has been one of
the basic factors of his domestic policy.
The Times, London, through AAP
Mr Schmidt takes some snuff while Mr Giscard talks to a journalist before their lunch at the residence of the West German Amabassador to Paris on Friday. Help
Mr Schmidt takes some snuff while Mr Giscard talks to a journalist before their lunch
at the residence of the West German Amabassador to Paris on Friday.
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