Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-07-17

EOlIOTS, IledQ OI The Q6I6gaLlOnJ .
Mr.. Chairman. Allow me to ask
the first question. First of all
should like to thank you for
consenting to receive us and
reply to our questions.
1 should like to ask the fol-
lowing question: What in your
opinion are the main problems
which divide our two countries
and what do you. as a realiSt
think of the chances for theil
solution?
! KHRUSHCHEV: 1t should
always be kept in mind. Of
course. that our countries have
different social systems. The
Soviet Union is a socialist coun-
try, while the United States has
a capitalist system. This de-
termines the policy of each
state. Which socio-political sys.
TEN is better will be decided by
history. 1t is our firm position
that this question should be
decided in peaceful competition
and not by war. The peoples
themselves must choose the
social system which suits them
best.
One thing is clear: Even Will
different social systems it is
possible and necessary to live al
peace, to have good relations
To put it briefly. we must CO.
exist peacefully.
What is it then after all that
interferes with the development
Of Soviet-American relations
! If there are no questions which
are an insuperable obstacle tt
be an improvement of relations
between our two countries;
The fact of the matter is that
the United States of America
has assumed the ignoble lead
ership in the struggle against
communism. But this is a false
and dangerous policy which
will not bring political divi-
dendS.
The German Problem
1t is from the American con-
ception Of anti-communism
that difficulties also arise to
the solution Of such a problem
as the German problem. We
could have found a mutually
acceptable solution to this
problem a long time ago. There
is much in common in our
positions on this question. ]
shall not enumerate the ques-
lions on which mutual under
standing already exists because
talks are still going on and ]
do not want to speak for United
States policy makers, to en-
barraSs them. perhaps, as for
our position, you are of course
we'll aware of it.
On what question do we
differ in our negotiations al
present? There is no common
understanding of the need tc
withdraw the occupation troops
from West Berlin. We hole
that the occupation troops Of
the United States, Britain ano
France should be withdrawn
from West Berlin. You will
ask why. Because normal con-
dltions will thereby be created
Tor the people of West Berlin
as a free city.
1t Is hard to understand what
the United States wants ia
achieve in West Berlin. Its
arguments for preserving the
occupation regime in West Ber-
lin are untenable. So long as
the occupation forces of the
United States, Britain and
France remain in West Berlin
they will play the role of an
irritant which will raise the
temperature in the relations
between states.
I should like to dwell on this
question at greater length as
it is one Of the key issues in
the present international sit
uation. To resolve this ques-
ton would mean-if I may use
the analogy-finding the bad
tooth, extracting it and thus
easing the situation. And West
Berlin is now precisely such a
bad tooth.
Does West Need Berlin?
Does the United States really
need West Berlin? Do France
or Britain need it? They do
not. They cling to West Berlin
as a source of tension. It is
often repeated in the West
that it is necessary to keep
Western occupation forces in
order to ensure the freedom of
the people of West Berlin. But
nobody encroaches on this free
dom. We are ready to guar
antee this freedom jointly with
the United States, Britain and
France and ensure noninter-
ference in the affairs of West
Berlin. We are prepared to
have this guarantee sealed with
the seal of the United Nations.
But in reply to this wish of
ours we hear only no, no, no.
What may one ask, does the
United States want-our con-
sent to the presence of its
troops in West Berlin and the
perpetuation of occupation? 1t
is said that Western powers
received these rights as a result
of the war. But we were allies
in that war, we occupied Ger
many together. 1t is already
IT years since the end of the
war. 1t is time to write fins
to the veStiges of war, to con-
clude a peace treaty. But we
are told: No. the occupation of
West Berlin must be continued.
Today, this occupation is no
longer in the interests of the
countries which fought against
Nazi Germany. The NATO
bloc, spearheaded against the
SOcipt Union and the 0tber