Chapter 1024 The United States Is Under Pressure

Of course, only God knows how sincere the statements made by the leaders of the two countries are.

If Alan Wilson were French, he wouldn't reveal a shred of the truth about Algeria anyway, and vice versa.

Moreover, even if Britain and France can unite in any field, they can only face one of the United States and the Soviet Union and have sufficient self-protection capabilities. Fortunately, there is no need to worry about the Soviet Union for the time being. The current strategic projection capabilities of the Soviet Union are not enough to launch a global attack.

The place that the Soviet Union could reach was the Arab region. Alan Wilson had long recognized that there were risks in the Middle East, and by betraying Iran at the beginning, he contributed to the interlocking and divided world in Iran.

This is not a big deal. He betrayed not only Iran, but also included but was not limited to Iran.

Although this visit has a more symbolic meaning, it is also of great benefit to receive French diplomatic support. At a juncture where Germany is not quite docile, France's stance becomes extremely important.

"I wonder how the minister is doing?" Wick, the principal private secretary to the deputy secretary of state, suddenly asked a question.

Normally, the Foreign Secretary is responsible for the formulation of British foreign policy, but the problem is that the Prime Minister happened to be the Foreign Secretary during World War II. He is not very skilled in other jobs, but he is passionate about diplomacy. Everyone can see Macmillan's embarrassment. Although he himself never seemed to express any dissatisfaction.

"I think he wants to go to the House of Lords." Alan Wilson said teasingly, "If the minister wants to aspire to the throne of prime minister, then he should keep his mouth shut about the fact that the current prime minister personally cares about foreign affairs. "

If Macmillan was a bit unruly, Alan Wilson was very optimistic about the outcome and was helping to promote Macmillan's promotion to the House of Lords.

It is a pity that the quota for the House of Lords will not appear at any time. Even if it does, should you solve your own problems first or solve your father-in-law's problems first? Whether Macmillan should go to the House of Lords or Churchill's son-in-law, Defense Secretary Duncan, should go to the House of Lords would require a frank family discussion.

Normally speaking, Alan Wilson naturally has the ability to interfere with the issue of who goes to the House of Lords. However, in principle, the Queen has this power, but she generally does not do so.

Whether the Honorable Queen Elizabeth will do this depends on how much of the imperial assets that Alan Wilson will allow the royal family to inadvertently lose during the process of colonial independence. Everything has a price.

If it had been fifty or even twenty years ago, the summit between Britain and France would have been an earth-shattering event that could change the world structure. However, from generation to generation, the world has been dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union.

The main focus of the summit meeting between Britain and France this time is how to preserve the international influence of the two countries and make their own voices heard. In fact, France can still do it, but the UK is a little embarrassed. Because of the same culture and species, the United States The voice of the British can often cover up the British voice.

But this time it is different, because there is friction between Britain and the United States due to the Iranian oil crisis, and there is a rare noise in the English-speaking world. France knows the purpose of Britain's visit this time, and the United Kingdom also knows that France knows its purpose this time, but the summit will not So it was smooth sailing.

After France's defeat in the Vietnam War, France's interests are now mainly concentrated in Africa, while Britain's interests are much dispersed. When faced with a choice between the two at a critical moment, Britain will definitely choose Asia rather than Africa.

Excluding the Belgian Congo, which does not belong to France in name but belongs to French-speaking countries, and Morocco and Tunisia, which have become independent, the entire French Africa is still a huge colony with an area of ​​more than 10 million square kilometers.

After the British gained independence from British India and British Burma after the war, together with the already independent Sudan and the independent Dominion of Nigeria, more than 7 million square kilometers of colonies have escaped British control.

There are still colonies in Africa, including British East Africa and Ghana in West Africa.

It has 4.3 million square kilometers, which is the same area as the original British India. The protectorates in the Middle East, plus British Malaya and the Pacific colonies, together were only half the size of the French colonies.

It can be said that by 1960, the throne of the world's largest colonial empire had been replaced. Of course, how much effective area is left after excluding the Sahara Desert is another question.

Although the time is a little late and the version has been updated, it is also true that France is currently the world's number one colonial country.

Although the interests of Britain and France are one in Africa and the other in Asia, it does not mean that they cannot cooperate. Military cooperation was the first project to make progress, and it was quickly determined that Britain and France would hold joint military exercises in the Mediterranean.

"Why do I feel that France is much more concerned about the joint military exercises in the Mediterranean than we are." From the subtle expressions of the French, Alan Wilson felt that things did not seem simple.

The military exercise was settled, and progress followed. France expressed its willingness to criticize Iran's treacherous actions, and at the same time worked with the United Kingdom to put pressure on Germany. However, for the sake of European unity, what France could do was limited to sanctioning Germany's biological products. Pharmaceutical companies are unwilling to expand their attack areas.

Cooperation in the economic, trade and military fields is much more vague. Both Britain and France have reservations. France hopes to form a European army with Britain, but Britain is unlikely to agree.

It is impossible for an old rival for nine hundred years to be completely innocent. It is already good to show some cooperative attitude. The results of national leaders' visits are never unremarkable, because the people below have already communicated the matter. , the Prime Minister only needs to come and sign.

Under the deliberate publicity of the British and French media, the significance of Prime Minister Eden's visit to France this time has been made particularly important.

Just after the first day, France immediately took action and announced that it would join the ranks of sanctioning German biopharmaceuticals. This time, one more country is involved in the Iranian oil crisis.

At least in terms of momentum, the team gathered by Britain this time is definitely not small, and it seems to be the case.

"It seems like that!" Alan Wilson couldn't help but think of the Suez Canal War, which was initiated by Britain and France together. Unexpectedly, the two countries, which had been fighting openly and covertly for nine hundred years, would still stand together at critical moments. I couldn't help but sigh, this is really sad.

The Suez Canal is related to Europe's energy security. Once problems arise there, the UK will quickly lose influence over its highly valued interests in Asia.

Even though Farouk I's throne is still relatively stable, Egypt has always had a voice to take back the Suez Canal, but it was temporarily suppressed by voices asking Britain to support the establishment of the Aswan Dam and the so-called overall interests. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. .

Alan Wilson, of course, made arrangements to maintain British influence in the Suez Canal, on several islands, Tiran and Senafel, which Britain had given to Egypt. Saudi Arabia across the sea.

But later, when Saudi Arabia became independent and the state of Israel was established, Saudi Arabia itself was not an Arab military power. Saudi Arabia gave up two small islands to Egypt. In this way, as long as Egypt blocks the Suez Canal and the Strait of Tiran, Israel's sea lanes to Asia will be cut off.

In addition, the Hanish Islands at the entrance of the Red Sea Strait, which belongs to the British colony of Yemen, can also be used to garrison. The UK can also conduct exploration of nearby waters to maintain the cost of garrisoning the islands.

Once public opinion surges in Egypt, or the Aswan Dam is built, Britain will use a series of British-controlled islands in the Red Sea Strait for indirect military garrison.

In the evening, Prime Minister Eden, who had finished his day's talks and schedule, was discussing diplomatic results with his advisory team. Mainly I wonder if the United States will feel pressure during this visit.

"This may depend on the statements in the next few days. If we do not achieve the results we want." Alan Wilson said with a heavy face, "Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will formally issue an invitation to the Soviet Union to see if it can get a response. After all, The Soviet Union’s influence in northern Iran is also considerable.”

"Inviting the Soviets, I personally don't want to go that far. This may bring about a big reaction." Aiden pondered for a moment and said, "Alan, this is very, very important."

"I understand very well, but there is no other way. If an invitation to visit the Soviet Union is issued, it cannot be too political. We extend the invitation on the grounds of cultural exchange. But in order to express our position, it is best not to invite the top leadership and the more important Someone sends an invitation." Alan Wilson suggested in a roundabout way.

Is there such a person? Downplaying the political overtones, and being a big shot in the Soviet Union, of course, His Excellency the Cultural Tsar.

Prime Minister Eden's visit is still going on, and the U.S. Congress is already quarreling over it. Democratic candidate Kennedy has criticized the current administration's foreign policy for affecting the unity of the free world.

Even within the Republican Party, there is a certain degree of disagreement. McCarthy, who is a conservative and has never loved the United States more than he, defended the Republican single policy and said, "This administration is dealing with Iran." On the issue of the oil crisis, the original intention was good, colonialism should end, but the British feelings were ignored in the operation. It is completely possible to find a solution acceptable to both parties to resolve this incident."

"Senator McCarthy, it's rare for you to admit your mistakes, but I still think you narrowed down the government's mistakes on this issue. The United Kingdom and France are important allies of the United States, and we should respect both countries."

In the White House, Secretary of State Dulles firmly refused, "Your Excellency, you cannot give in on this issue. If some pressure makes the United States back down, it will only be more difficult to weaken Britain and France in the future."