ABSTRACT
The Commonwealth, which succeeded the British Empire, is an experiment in the early stages of positive co-operation and it is on that pattern that countries can associate within the real meaning of the word detente. The European Community and the Commonwealth are both milestones on the approach to neighbourly cooperation. It will be a long time before the leaders of the Soviet Union even begin to think in such terms. That, paradoxically, is a contribution to detente as it can compel the Soviets to take it seriously. The present NATO timetable for increased forces and arms should be telescoped so that this goal is achieved in the shortest possible time. The military programme is within our means. The Belgrade Conference revealed that the Soviet leaders were stubbornly opposed to any modification of their present practices. So long as they persist in that negative attitude it will be that much more difficult to arrive at true detente.
