Evening star., 1961-03-01

ers to pick up their
be to the benefit Of the United
States. and to what extent?
For example, do you think this
might bring Russia and the
United States closer together
over the long run?
Judgment Delayed
A. Well. 1 would not attempt
to make judgment about what
our future relations are going
to be. am hopeful that we
can work out a relationship
which will permit us to live in
peace and maintain our security
and the security of those coun-
tries with which we are allied.
That is our object. I am
hopeful that the Soviet Un-
ion will come to that conclusion
also, what factors will be in
their minds in making their
policy. of course, can only be
Surmised. But we are attempt
ing, and will be attempting in
the coming months to deter
mine whether any effective
agreements can be accom-
plished with the Soviet Union
which will permit a relaxation
OF. world tension. We should
know that in some months.
@. Mr.. President, one of your
campaign complaints. sir, was
that fewer than 100 people in
the whole Federal Government
were working in the field of
disarmament and planning for
negotiations. Can you tell us
how many people you have
working on that problem now
and what progress you are
making towards building UP
what you would regard as an
adequate staff to deal with this
question?
Fisk Group Cited
A. We have, of course, the
problem. and have had it, of
going into the negotiations In
late March. There have been
voluntary groups, particularly
one led by Mr.. Fisk, DR.. Fisk,
which has been concerning it.
self with our position in those
negotiations. I discussed with
Mr.. McCloy the setting up of
a longer-range operation on
disarmament and nuclear test
ing, and we are now considering
whether that should be estab-
lished as a separate agency
in the executive branch or in
the State Department. with
permanent personnel and a
budget under a statutory action
by the Congress. I am hopeful
Mr.. McCloy is considering it,
and we hope to be able to make
recommendations to Congress
about the long buildup
of our disarmament activities
in some days.
@. Mr.. President, what sig
nificance. If any, do you attach
to the fact that the Russians
put part of your news confer
ence on their television, and
would you welcome more of
this?
A. I would welcome more of
it, and I am glad that they are
doing 1t. and I hope that it
can be expanded where it gives
an accurate reflection OF the
point Of view Of this country.
German Aid Ideas
Q. Mr.. President, this last
week end, Vice Chancellor
Erhart in Germany suggested
that West Germany was not
necessarily going to continue
aid to underdeveloped areas
beyond one year. Was it your
understanding with the Foreign
Minister Herr Won Brentano
when he left here, that this
would be on continuing basis?
A. 1t is my understanding
that it would be on a continuing
basis, and I am sure that that
would be the point Of view of
the German government. AS
to how much they will be able
to do on a continuing basis,
that is a matter which they
have to determine and I am
sure will be a subject of dis
cussion between the United
States, the Germans, and other
interested countries. But my
impression was very precise,
that it would be on a continu-
ing basis. But I do not say
that the figures which have
been reported in the papers
as to how much would be pro-
vided on q continuing basis, I
did not have any understand
ing that those were the figures
that they would finally reach.
The idea Of continuity was
clearly accepted. and the idea
Of the figures is q matter, of
course, which would be before
the Germans and on which, Of
course, we will be talking with
them.
Q. Mr.. President, Congress-
man Anfuso has recommended
that this country take the ini-
tiative and officially invite
Soviet space scientists to meet
with U. S. scientists to work
out plans for cooperation and
peaceful exploration of space in
line with your own recommen-
dations. Would you comment
on this, and could you tell US