Britain, France Already Helping Out in Gulf: Shultz

Secretary of State George P. Shultz said today Britain and France are already making a military contribution in the Persian Gulf region, although President Reagan continues to seek military help from European allies.

Shultz said a military buildup by the allies is “not necessarily, particularly” required, but he said his views do not conflict with those of the President.

Reagan, outlining his goals for the seven-nation summit to be held June 8-10 in Venice, Italy, made it clear Monday that he will tell other leaders that they have an obligation to help the United States protect merchant ships from becoming targets in the Iran-Iraq War.

Shultz, briefing reporters on the summit, said that by some measures, such as the size of its navy and its economic power, Britain is doing more proportionately than the United States in the gulf.

“The French are also in and around the area and they’re always effective,” Shultz said.

The secretary said the military capabilities of other allies “are not so great, but we need to look at things that others might do.”

The secretary said: “The fact of the matter is we are not alone in the gulf right now. The British are there. We have a collaborative pattern with Saudi Arabia involved and so on, so I think that needs to get enhanced somewhat.”

Despite pleas from Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger, North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have refused to join U.S. warships in protecting oil tankers in the gulf. Officially, the State Department says consultations with allies have been inconclusive.