TRANSLATION/SD
Wermlands Nya Tidning 7.6.90
Francis Maude, British Minister in Sweden
HE BELIEVES IN EC GROWTH
On Wednesday a handful of journalists had occasion to me the Hon. Francis Maude over a cup of tea at the British Ambassador's residence in Stockholm. Maude is deputy pr Love
minister in Great Britain. He is travelling, around Scandinavia at present to explain his government's policy on Europe. He mainly discussed the EC-Efta agreement in Stockholm, and he expects it to be completed before the end of this year.
Francis Maude believes in the development of EC and that it is wholly in line with Great Britain's interests. There appears to be absolutely no risk that Great Britain would leave EC, as he replied to my direct question. As far as Sweden is concerned, the Swedes must remember that a political union is not the same as centralisation, but rather harmonisation of links. Mr Maude emphasised this.
He said that Austria was correct in applying for membership. The country is suitable for EC and there should not be any constitutional probelsm. The Soviet Union no longer has any possibility of
putting pressure on the Austrians to prevent them from becoming members.
It is hardly likely that Hungary or Czechoslovakia could be considere for membership before 1995 at the earliest. They have a great need for western-type democracy.
How does Maude regard events in Germany, then?
"A united Germany will be a member of NATO", he said. "The Soviet has not the means to prevent this either. When Germany is united the Russian army must withdraw".
Maude does not believe that the west is putting too little pressure the Soviet with regard to the Baltic states, for example. Moreover, he pointed out that Gorbatjov must try to work with Jeltsin, OF else the Soviet leader with encounter great difficulties.
Finally, we touched
touch on the far east. What is Francis Maude's view on China and Hong Kong?
"We have protested against the Chinese authorities treatment of the opposition. We do not believe that there is anything to gain from isolating the Chinese. With regard to Hong Kong, we are discussing the subject continuously. A solution is in sight, but we are not there yet.
"Out official attitude to developing countries, Mr Maude ended by saying, "is that we must open the British market to them. The worst thing we could do is to provide financial assistance without allowing open channels of trade. They will never develop that way".
CHRISTOPHER JARNVALL
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