Word: denmark
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...were diminished and the Common Market of ten nations that was to be created on Jan. 1 was cut to nine. By a decisive 53.9% to 46.1%, Norwegians in a special referendum last week rejected membership in the European Economic Community. The vote cast doubt on the outcome of Denmark's EEC referendum this week and raised the possibility of a "unified" Europe without Nordic participation...
Though feared by Oslo's Labor government and predicted by numerous opinion polls, the referendum's results shocked Common Market capitals. In Denmark, Premier Jens Otto Krag, who had warned his people that a negative Danish vote could mean devaluation, unemployment and a reduction of welfare services, was forced to suspend foreign exchange transactions. In London, antiMarket forces claimed that Norway's rejection would reduce Britain's influence on EEC decisions and demanded a referendum for Britons, even though Parliament has already assented to EEC entry. In Brussels, where news of the vote was received...
Last week's vote revived dreams of a neutral Nordic grouping of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. Sweden has traditionally provided the impetus, but its attempts to form a Nordic defense alliance foundered in 1949 when Norway joined NATO. Last year Soviet pressure on Finland scuttled Swedish-backed attempts to create Nor-dek, a Nordic economic union. For the near future, Nordek is probably dead, but after a discreet interval, Sweden may well propose more intensive economic cooperation among Nordic nations...
Despite Norway's decision, the magnetism exerted by the EEC remains strong. Some future Norwegian government may bid for membership again. Much depends on Denmark's referendum this week. Danish Premier Krag was prepared for any eventuality. On the day following the EEC vote, Krag must deliver the annual state-of-the-nation speech. This year Krag has prepared two speeches, one assuming Danish rejection of the EEC, the other in case his countrymen vote yes to Europe...
Danes vote in their own referendum on Market membership today. Already the "Europe of the Ten" hailed with fanfare in Brussels in the winter is reduced to nine. After Monday the number could be eight. And negative popular votes in both Denmark and Norway would certainly increase pressure on the British government to submit its own membership policy to the voters. The weeks between now and the January 1 date for formal accession of the new members may be more eventful than had been anticipated...