5
 
of interest. Mention is also made of the fact that these 
powers have common colonial problems, which might be 
treated on a regional scale.
 
      One British commentator states:
 
     "Such suggestions may sound revolutionary. But 
    the Laneaster bomber and the assault craft and the 
    duck and the doodle are all revolutionary. The 
    environment of peaceful living in Europe has changed 
    drastically in the last twenty years, and unless the 
    nations are prepared to alter their habits as dras-
    tically, they will go the way of all those, who have 
    failed to adapt themselves to their environment - 
    they will not survive."
 
       The plan has has a varied reception in the countries 
concerned. Belgium seems to be the most enthusiastic 
about it; Holland less so, but still not unfavorably dis-
posed. France is more cool to the idea, but she will 
probably not be averse to making bilateral agreements with 
Britain and the low countries if they can be made in such 
a way as not to weaken the seourity organization or appear 
to be directed against the Soviet Union. The Russians are 
suspicous of the move and Clark Kerr reported that 
Moletov was obviously "recieved" by his statement to him
on November 28 that the object of any so-called Western 
European Bloc would in no wise be to form a counterpoise 
to the Soviet Union. Clark Kerr also assured him that in 
accordance with the established policy of his Government, 
the Russians would at all times be kept fully informed of
any developments along these lines. It is deemed most 
likely that he attempted to convey to Moletov the idea 
that the motive which impelled the British to adopt this 
policy in Western Europe was the same which led the 
Russians to take an interest in Finland, the Baltic States,
Poland, and Rumania. Subsequent to this conversation, 
however, the Russian Ambassador in Paris told Caffery that 
his Government was opposed to the formation of a Western 
European bloc but had no objection whatever to France's 
being the principle nation among a group of free and
prosperous European nations. This was Just after 
de Gaulle' s visit to Moscow.
 
 
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