The British Imperial Establishment, Post Imperial Era, and the ‘Churchillian’ World View, 1945-2016. (Adjustments & Challenges in Contemporary British Diplomatic Strategy)

126

Top Secret

C.P. [48] 6

4th January 1948.

Cabinet.

THE
FIRST AIM OF BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY MEMORANDUM
BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

“It must be
recognised that the Soviet Government has formed a solid
political and economic block behind a line
running from the Baltic along the
Oder, through Trieste to the Black Sea. There is no prospect in the
immediate
future that we shall be able to re-establish and maintain normal relations with
European
countries behind that line. As I have explained in a separate paper, these
countries are dominated by the
Communists, although they are only a minority in
each country. Indeed we shall be hard put to it to stem
the further encroachment
of the Soviet side. It is not enough to reinforce the physical barriers which
still
guard our Western civilisation. We must also organise and consolidate the ethical
and
spiritual forces inherent in this Western civilisation of which we are the chief
protagonists. This in my
view can only be done by creating some form of union
in Western Europe. Whether of a formal or informal
character, backed by the
Americans. “43 The announcements which
followed were:

A- The deadline for the independence of India was
brought forward.

B- The Palestine issue was handed over to the
United Nations.

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