Basic HTML Version
1171111
HEADS OF GOVERNMENT of the Free World's seven leading industrial powers assembled in Ottawa, Ganada, last
July. Surface harmony prevailed at the two-day summit, but mounting política/ and economic frictions between the
United States and its allies were not removed. Growing European-Soviet trade ties disturb Washington.
NEW EUROPE
(Continued from page 6)
U.S. bases. The Labourites also, if
ever in power, would pull Britain
out of the Common Market within
12 months after winning the elec–
t ion.
The Low Countries, notes strate–
gic analyst Walter Laquer, are
affiicted with what he calls "Hol–
landitis." This malady, he explains,
which began in the Netherlands,
has resulted in aversion to all mat–
ters 'dealing with national defense,
not just opposition to nuclear weap–
ons.
To those affiicted with this "dis–
ease," America is viewed as the
greatest threat to peace in Europe.
According to a Belgian Socialist
party leader, "We have become
permanent vassals and nuclear hos–
tages of the U.S." (No mention of
being beld hostage to tbe Soviets'
city-flattening SS-20s.)
The twin giants of neutralism
and anti-Americanism are coming
together as well in West Germany,
the most Americanized nation in
free Europe.
The Protestant clergy is in the
forefront of the growing movement.
During a recent conference in Ham–
burg, attended by more than
100,000 young people, students con–
ducted a "peace march." Parading
such signs as "Rockets Out" and
"Peace Without Weapons," the
marchers portrayed Washington as
the prime force behind world ten–
sions and a new arms race. At the
same time, the cover of
Stern,
West
42
Germany's largest general interest
magazine, showed an American
nuclear missi le piercing the heart of
a dove of peace.
Aided by a massive influx of Com–
munist propaganda, the picture is
emerging in Germany of the United
States as a warlike nation, without
integrity, having an unj ust society,
corrupted by Vietnam and Water–
gate. On the other hand, the Rus–
sians are portrayed as difficult, but
basically reasonable chaps.
Sorne intellectuals go so far as to
say that Europe (and Germany)
must not only protect itself cul–
turally against American civiliza–
tion, but must "Europeanize" the
Soviet Union so that it can be spared
Americanization and remain pure,
uncorrupted by consumerism.
Summarized Alice Siegert, an
American correspondent in Bonn:
" Jf
a balance sheet were struck, it
would show without question that
the majority of people here still have
friendly feelings for the United
States.
But it also is afact that Ger–
mans no longer look to the U.S. as
the model country.
And the política!
rift that is opening could be danger–
ous."
Nearly everywhere else Mr. Rea–
gan's aides look in Europe, they see
disturbing signals. Taking advantage
of the situation, Moscow is conduct–
ing an all-out "peace offensive" on
many fronts. For example, the
Soviets are once again floating tbe
idea of a " nuclear-free zone" for
Northern Europe--complete with a
"guarantee" that Soviet nuclear
weapons would not be used against
the Nordic countries.
Thus, the Soviets are making
strides toward neutral izing ("Fin–
landizing") Western Europe.
In the East-Ferment
If
neutralism in Western Europe is
gtvmg Washington bad dreams ,
Poland is giving Moscow night–
mares.
What has been happening in
Poland- the Soviet Union's most
strategically located satellite-is
nothing short of a revolution.
Política! reforms have taken
place at a dizzyi ng speed in
Poland ever si nce tbe Gdansk
shipyard demonstrations in the
summer of 1980. Yet every
change, it seems, leads only to
demands for more.
No one could possibly have fore–
seen a year ago that Moscow would
tolerate tbe formation of a free
trade union movement-in a sup–
posedly "workers' state." N either
could anyone have foreseen that
delegates to a Communist party
convention (in Warsaw) would be
selected by
secret ballot- nor
that
the party boss bimself at the con–
gress would be selected by the
same process.
Moscow, bogged down in Af–
ghanistan and fearful of the grave
consequences of direct intervention
in Poland, has simply gritted its
teeth and permitted all this to take
place. The Kremlin has even post–
poned Poland's debts to the
U.S.S.R. for the next five years,
hoping this will help relieve
Poland's staggering economic
plight.
What Moscow is confronted
The PLAIN TRUTH