To persuade France to pass EDC, the U.S. and Britain last week made formal pledges of support to the six-nation European Army. The promises fall short of fellow membership, but guarantee that in case of trouble, France will not be left alone.
The U.S. promised to: ¶Continue to maintain U.S. armed forces in Europe "while a threat to [the NATO] area exists. . . "
¶Encourage "the closest possible integration" between the European Army, other NATO forces and U.S. forces "with respect to their command, training, tactical support and logistical organization. . . "
¶Seek means for "sharing in greater measure" with the six nations information on new weapons and new techniques of defense.
¶Regard "any action from whatever quarter" which threatens the EDC group as also a threat to the security of the U.S., thus applying the NATO commitments and guarantees to EDC's one non-NATO member, West Germany.
Great Britain promised to: ¶Work out with EDC "a common military outlook" on training, tactical doctrine, staff methods, logistics and standardization of equipment.
¶Consult on defense questions, including the level of British defense forces.
¶Appoint a British minister to sit in EDC council meetings, and a British member of EDC's proposed Board of Commissioners.
¶Include British Army units (among them, one armored division) within the European Army formations "and vice versa"; include R.A.F. wings within the European Army's air forces "and vice versa "; join Royal Navy units in EDC maneuvers and generally interchange techniques, training facilities and personnel.