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Soul Searching
Beyond the as yet unsettled eco–
nomic picture, round four of the
Mideast war has brought two very
important political developments
into the sharpest possible focus.
One is the obvious inability of the
West Europeans to direct or even
essentially infiuence events
in
a part
PLAIN TRUTH February 1974
of the world so vitally essential to
their economic well-being. The
other is the damage the war has
infiicted upon tbe Atlantic alliance,
already in rather sad shape due to
tbe postponement of Mr. Nixon's
"Year of Europe," which sorne sug–
gested had been dropped due to
"lack of mutual interest.'' America's
support of Israel (professions of U.S.
neutrality
in
the Mideast notwith–
standing) ruos counter to Europe's
dependence upon the Arab world's
oil supply.
The two closely related factors
have led to serious soul-searching
on the part of European leaders of
all politic.al persuasion. They are se–
riously reexamining their nations'
relationship with America, as well
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