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Europe. This was sometimes thought of as a new relationship because of the formation of the European Community but we had been bound to Europe for centuries, although again the Second
The European World War had forged particularly close links.
the Community's greatest Community had strengthened these: single achievement was the drawing together of France and Germany. It was now impossible to envisage any major separation of interests between these two countries. The significance of Britain's decision in 1972 to join the European Community lay in the fact that we thereby decided that we too were bound to Europe and in particular, because of our size and influence, with France and Germany.
Dr Owen therefore thought that we would see a growing commercial and economic closeness between the countries of Europe in contrast to
He did not the commercial and economic divisions of the past. think that a European defence relationship would emerge in isolation
British foreign policy from the US. A central objective of one which we shared with Germany and in which we were not so far
was to keep the US apart from the French position as in the past attached to Europe.
He therefore did not see that a choice between
Both relationships Europe and the United States could arise. were necessary in global terms (though on individual issues a choice were necessary in global might be necessary).
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As a consequence of the relationships described above, Europe's relationship with the USSR was not very different from that
Although there were some between the USSR and the United States. differences of emphasis and tone in terms of broad strategy there remained a close identity of interest between Europe and the US and a similarity in handling relations with the USSR.
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The UK had made a firm decision to have a dialogue with the USSR. This began in the 1950s and was now called détente. It had its ups and downs but there was little doubt that we would pursue it.
Helsinki marked the formalisation of that relationship and it was likely we would carry on within that framework for some years. One problem with us was puzzlement about Soviet intentions in the defence field. We understood the Soviet political system: we saw the Soviets as adventurist and knew well that they wanted to wrongfoot us; but we were not sure why they continued to build up their defence force.
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The Labour Party did not like spending money on defence:
The Labour Party had and Dr Owen himself shared this dislike. tried hard to understand Soviet motives but recently there had been a shift in the Labour Party's attitude towards the Soviet Union. One of the most significant decisions the Labour Government had taken was to increase defence expenditure by 3% per annum as part The decision had been of the NATO long term defence programme. taken reluctantly: but was made against a background of an expansion of the Soviet defence budget: of Soviet numerical military strength: and of a qualitative improvement in Soviet military equipment.
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