Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-06-11
GENEVA

Continued From First Page
there are obvious differences
between the Western delega-
tons when it comes to the ques-
ton Of whether or not the talks
should 60 on. While the Ameri-
cans here are giving the i'm
preston that the conference
might end at any moment. the
British and French seem to be
taking a more patient line.
Objectionable as Mr.. Gro
myko'S proposals may be, nei-
ther the British nor the French
is likely to go as far as Mr..
Herter in saying that they
cannot be taken as a basis for
discussion" in going on with
the talks. The determining fac
tor at this point seems to be
whether or not Mr.. Gromyko
is willing to withdraw his one
year limit.
For their part, the Russians
seem hopeful that a day Of cool
ing of after yesterdays heated
exchanges will have a calming
effect on Western tempers. The
first authoritative Russian in
depreciation Of Mr.. Gromyko's
proposals was clearly aimed
at softening the tough line that
was drawn In the earlier pub
lie session.
Reds Ask Contemporaries
Indeed, Deputy Russian
Foreign Minister Valerian
Zorin seemed anxious to pre-
sent the Russian plan as a
major concession to the West.
All Of its terms, he implied.
are opennko further negotia-
ton. II the West objects to
certain points, they should
come UP with then own
contemporaries.
'.We proceed from the fact
that the Western powers want
to improve the situation in
West Berlin" Mr.. Zorin said.
AT least. that is what they
have stated several times at
official or private meetings. ..
I'VE do not insist on calling
West Berlin a free city. We
leave certain occupation rights
to the Western powers for one
year with no interference as
far as the communications Of
West Berlin with the outside
world are concerned. :.
IF the Western powers real
ly want to improve the situe
alton in West Berlin they
should accept these minimum
suggestions. :"
Quizzed on Time Limit
Mr.. Zorin seemed painfully
surprised when asked If the
one-year Russian time-imit
were negotiable.
But negotiations are already
in progress" he replied. Their
purpose is to fix time limits and
arrive at an agreement. We
propose one year and the West
ern powers say that it is not
acceptable to them.
There have been attempts
made to present our proposal as
a sort of ultimatum or 'diktat'
but this has nothing in COM
mon with the facts. AS you
know, the Western powers in
their own package plan pro-
posed a period of two and a
half years for the accomplish
ment of reunif1cstion by an
alderman committee. Why
can't we propose a time limit
of one year for the solution of
a certain number of questions?"
Ignores Rejection
Mr.. Zorin had nothing what
ever to say about Secretary
Herter's obviously well-pre-
pared rejection of the Soviet
plan. At the next full meeting
on Friday, he thought, I'VE
will learn what the Western
delegations have to say"
What we had today" he
added hopefully, was Of a
preliminary nature"
In fact, there are some indi-
cations today that Mr.. Zorin
may be right.
Western experts here are
showing a very real interest in
the back-peddling performance
Of the deputy foreign minister
which, they say. is in rather
startling contrast to Mr.. Gro
myko's own attitude in both the
public and private sessions.
When they were made yester-
day, the Russian proposals
brought about a Western re-
action which may have come
as a surprise to the Soviet
delegation.
If it develops that Mr.. zorin's
new soft line" in talking to
the press holds up in future
conversations between Mr..
Gromyko and the Western
ministers. the negotiations here
could be resumed on a new and
more hopeful basis.