Amber light from Europe
Sir: Crabro's EEC article (6 December) does not mention that postwar Germany has become completely adult again and a major political and economic force affecting all Western European affairs.
Already it wants enlargement of the EEC to maintain its dynamic of industrial growth while France seeks a delay of not less than two years. And so, for the third time in fifty-five years France and Germany stand eye to eye with Germany holding the preponderance of economic weapons.
There are many outside pressures in 1969 helping the German cause. For instance, Russian forces encircle Western Europe now; the us seeks to reduce its West Euro- pean defence commitments now and, hav- ing learned its lesson the hard way on the responsibilities of world power, it has already started to turn inwards; in the current strategy of the cold war. Anglo- European strength makes more sense than Anglo-American.
Most importantly, the EEC'S structure and concept is proven to be seriously vul- nerable to misuse by any major member playing for national advantage. This could recur.
Does not all this point to the good sense of honourably retiring EEC and substituting a market union of all West European coun- tries, based upon the sophistication and strength of Anglo-German industry? With a count of twelve hands to one, it should be a pushover. After all, under the leader- ship of M Pompidou, France's basic need is the indefinite subsidy of the chronic imbalance between its agriculture and industry.
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