Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-07
Kennedy Stresses U. S. Concern
Over Red Pressures in Sc. Asia
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page
city"-that is, free of the pro-
lection of Western troops -
while offering mainly unex-
planned guarantees" of West
ern access to the city.
1t appears that the confer
ence covered much of the
same ground that had been
covered by Mr.. Gromyko and
Mr.. Rusk in a series of three
meetings in New York in the
previous two weeks.
The White House discussion
ended the first phase of United
StateS-Soviet efforts to lay a
basis for future, formal negoti-
atoms on a Berlin settlement.
The next phase may be han
died by Ambassador Llewellyn
Thompson in Moscow and So
Wet Ambassador Mikhail Men
Shikov in Washington.
There was no word whether
the problem of filling the post
of United Nations Secretary
General was discussed at yes
terday's meeting, but Mr..
Gromyko'S reference to con-
sideration of every important
matter" indicated Soviet and
American positions had at least
been stated.
The United States was re-
ported to be more concerned
with establishing the undiluted
authority of the interim Secre-
tary General post than in what
man should fill the job.
1t was not clear whether the
Soviet Union had given up its
campaign to diminish the pow
ers of the Secretary General.
For this reason American Off
Gals cautioned against conclud-
ing that the United Nations was
near to agreement on a tenn
porary Secretary General.
Once the powers of the office
have been confirmed, it was ex-
pected that the Soviet Union
and the United States could
agree on an individual to fill
it. Burmese Ambassador U
Thant was reported to be the
frontrunner.
Mr.. Gromyko gave no de-
finite indication whether the
Soviet Union was dropping its
year-end deadline for signing
a peace treaty with Germany.
He was understood to have
continued to be ambiguous
about the guarantees of &C
cess to West Berlin the Soviet
bloc is ready to arrange. II
White House Press Secretary
Pierre Salinger confirmed yes
terday that West German
Chancellor Adenauer had sent ]
a letter to President Kennedy.
He would not discuss the
letters content.
1t was understood the Chan
cellor repeated his pleas for
firmness in defending the free
dom of the people OF West Ger
lin.
Talks Restricted
The White House talks were
unusually restricted. They be-
gan with only the President,
Secretary Rusk. Mr.. Gromyko
and Russian Deputy Foreign
Minister Vladimir Semenov,
and their interpreters partici-
pating. Other advisors stood
by in the second floor White
House library. A short time
later Assistant Secretary OF
State Foy Kohler and Soviet
Ambassador Menshikov Joined
the group.
1t was not disclosed whether
Charles E. Bohlen, special ad-
VISOR to Secretary Rusk IN So
Wet affairs. or McGeorge
Bundy, the Presidents national
security affairs adviser, were
eventually called into the
meeting from the library.
Mr.. Thompson, landed in
Baltimore as the President and
Soviet Foreign Minister began
their conference. He was eX-
pected to confer with Secretary
Rusk this week end.
The President last met with
Mr.. Gromyko on March q.
when the principal topic was
Southeast Asia.
President Kennedy repeatedly
told Mr.. Gromyko of his con-
Germ about the possibility of
expanded hostilities in the area. /.
Three Laotian Princes repre-
senting the three main polit-
ical factions in their country
have resumed meetings to form
a coalition government, but
these negotiations could be up
set if the precarious cease fire
were to be broken.