News In Brief

Kohl says EC split risks loss of European influence

A divided Europe will have no influence in the world and could become a plaything for foreign interests, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl said Wednesday.

Reporting to Parliament on the failure of the European Community summit conference in Athens, Mr. Kohl said he would not hide his deep disappointment, but was convinced the member nations had learned their lesson. He said the crisis may have been necessary to secure agreement.