UN General Assembly
1968

141. None of the particular proposals advanced by the socialist countries was implemented, not even in a gradual way, step by step. All the diplomatic chancelleries in Europe know full well that all the good intentions got stranded on the negative attitude of the Government of the German Federal Republic. This is why our approach to the German problem differs from that presented here by some Western neighbours of the German Federal Republic. As we are fully aware, although those countries share to a considerable extent many of our apprehensions, they choose to base their relations with the German Federal Republic on an abstract feeling of faith. We, however, cannot be guided in our policy merely by declarations of goodwill. Thus, indeed, we shall continue to rely on deeds. It will remain a constant of our policy that the German problem has to be subordinated to the requirements of European security, not vice versa. Whenever in the past this basic truth was lost sight of, Europe fell prey to tragic wars which engulfed the European East as well as the West, and in the end engulfed other continents too.