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similar to the reverse geographic
phrase coined by the late French Presi–
deot Charles de Gaulle - but differing
in who would be its "Supervisor."
The
PLAIN TRUTH
and mounting trade rift on both sides
of the Atlantic.
Coupled with this are repeated
charges of American economic impe–
rialism in Western Europe. "United
States monopolies" control far too much
of European industry, it is said. This is
dangerous, because through them, the
United States is allegedly attempting to
use the military and economic resources
of Western Europe to shore up its
weakening power.
Instead, by East and West coming
The Soviets will likely even call for
the eventual dismantling of both the
Common Market and its East European
counterpart, COMECON. In their re–
spective places, Soviet planners hope
to propose a program of sweeping East–
West economic and technical coopera–
tion. Already being discussed is the
establishment of large industrial, trans–
port and power projects, the setting
up of long-distance
...
'llllll~~~~~m~~~
communications
systems, the joint
working of valuable
raw materials by the
combined efforts of
severa! countries.
Soviet planners ap–
pear to be applying
the concept developed
by Monnet and Schu–
mann when the two
great post-war French
thinkers carne up with
the idea of the European
Coal and Steel Community,
forerunner of the Common
Market. By amalgamating French and
German (as well as Italian and Ben–
elux) industries in these two basic
industrial commodities, they hoped it
would be impossible for the two West
European antagonists ever to go to war
again. Can the principie be applied to
all of Europe?
U.S. "Ecooomk Jmperialism"
Attacked
The Soviet press is continually stress–
ing that increased trade between East·
ern Europe and the industrialized West
would be valuable to both sides.
East European access to the advanced
technology of the West would greatly
assist industrial expansion, especiaJiy in
the much needed .field of consumer
goods. Restlessness in the East bloc
could thus be more easily handled.
A big payoff for the Common Market
countries would be less dependence
upon the United States in economic and
trade matters. Russian newspapers show
unreserved glee over the dollar crisis
"Bonn's Partner"
-
a plaudit for Brezh–
nev
~ We~ Ge~
many's leading news
magazine, Der Spie–
ge/. After posing
the question, "Can
he be trusted?",
in-depth lead arti-
cle replied that
"the pollcy of
relaxation be–
ing
pur~ued
by Brezhnev al
the moment is
purposeful and
decisive."
together, they should be able to "turn
the colossal production and intellectual
resources of the European countries to
the advantage of world development."
This, according to Soviet Politburo
member Víctor V. Grishin, waxing
somewhat eloquent in an address given
at the most recent anniversary of the
Russian Revolution.
Others in the West view such cooper–
ation quite differently. West German
press magnate Axel Springer says sud1 a
course of action would result in "a Eu–
rope whose total resources would be at
the disposal of the Soviet Union."
Caution Coupled With Fear
Few política! or industrial leaders in
Western Europe are showing much con–
crete interest so far in the rather gran–
diose ideas emanating from the Kremlin.
But there is a growing fear in Washing–
ton that West Europe, possibly tempted
to re-enter traditional markets in East
Europe in a big way, might sigo away its
security and force a withdrawal of U. S.
troops. Instead of the
"Pax Americana"
February 1972
- peace, American style - all of
Europe would be treated to
"Pax
Sovietica."
According to Mr. Springer,
"Pax
Americana
would mean continued hope
for al! mankind;
Pax Sovietica,
new
dark ages in our times."
American policy, and that of most
allied countries, remains firm so far. In
his end-of-the-year talks with Willy
Brandt, President Nixon assured the
West German Chancellor of the contin–
ued presence of U. S. troop strength in
Europe, despite some pressure to the
contrary in the Senate. Mr. Nixon
stressed that any future discussion with
the Soviet Union about mutual and bal–
anced force reductions would take place
only within the framework of NATO.
After their two-day talks, Brandt
revealed that he and
Mr.
Nixon had
reached agreement on the timing and
agenda for the European Security Con–
ference, which he now expects will be
held sometime in
1973.
No details, how–
ever, were given.
Even within the official U. S. positioo
there is a detectable latitude of action
on the broad concept of European
security.
According to U. S. Under Secretary
of State John N. Irwin, II, "We have
shown that we have a fair under–
standing of Soviet bistory and of the
price the Soviet Union and otber
nations in Eastern Europe had to pay in
defending their legitimate security in
the not too distant past."
Even President Nixon saíd in his for–
eign policy report to the Congress in
February
1970:
"The time is certainly past, with the
development of modero technology,
when any power could seek
to
exploit
Eastern Europe
to
obtain strategíc
advantage against the Soviet Union.
lt
is dearly no part of our policy. Our
pursuit of negotiation and detente is
meant to reduce existing tensions, not to
stir up new ones."
It will be ioteresting to see what
comes of Me. Nixon's planned visit to
Moscow this May.
Sorne form of a security arrangement
is bound to come about
in
Europe in the
not-too-distaot future. The big questions
are: Security on whose terms? And -
will it last? O