Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-07-18

This will take some time. I
doubt if the Communist coun-
tries will be inclined to take
any moves that risk a break in
the East German-WeSt German
trade until they have sue
ceeded in re-orienting the East
German economy. This is an
other reason why think we
have an interlude of relative
quiet in Berlin.
Of course in this particular
period after all the promises
which Mr.. K. has made with
respect to a peace treaty I
think he has to continue to talk
about it even when he is doing
nothing about it. Otherwise. it
would look like he had failed
to live up to the commitments
which he had made to his
Communist associates.
! Reds Might Risk War
@. You think, then, If he does
do anything about Berlin, it's
primarily with an eye toward
undermining the Western alli-
ance?
A. There is a possibility that
to stop the development of
Western European political
unity he might even be willing
to risk war. 1t is certain he
wouldn't risk war just for Ber-
lin. So If these developments
take place, If he begins to take
the actions which could lead
to war in Berlin, it would not be
because he wants Berlin. 1t
would be because he wants to
destroy the movement toward
political unity in Western Eu-
rope.
Reds Treaty Ultimatum
@. Mr.. Khrushchev and
other Communists have been
repeating word for word the
Warsaw Pact declaration of
June 7, that unless the West
agrees to sign peace treaties
with both Germanys, the East
will go ahead on its own with
all the consequences that it in
wolves. Does this sound to you
like a new ultimatum in the
making?
! A. This ultimatum has been
one that has existed since 1858
and it is now 1862. I would sup
pose that there will come a
time when Mr.. K. does have to
go ahead with a peace treaty.
Even If he does he could put in
the reservations which would
protect the rights of the Allies
in West Berlin. If he doesn't.
why, Of course, the peace treaty
could lead to very serious con-
sequences. 1 don't know when
he is going to sign this peace
treaty, if ever. ! can't get ex-
cited because he talks about it
again, since it has been a con-
slant threat since 1858.
I also think it is very i'm
portant that he must remem-
Der several things about this
Berlin situation. One-I think
a very important one-is that
we gave up almost half of what
is now East Germany for the
position which we hold in Ber-
lin. There wouldn't be an East
Germany of any consequence
If we had not given up the ter
ritory which we had captured
in exchange for the position
which we hold in West Berlin.
U. S. Commitments Strong
@. You are speaking of the
wartime agreements?
A. Yes. Under these agree
ments. too. the only troops al
lowed in West Berlin were AL
lied troops. We have lived up
to that. On the other hand,
the Soviet government started
raising an East German army
very quickly and they have
stationed that army in East
Berlin. We have never stationed
any troops from the Federal
Republic Of West Germany in
West Berlin.
Now as a result of all that
, certain basic commitments
have been made publicly and
solemnly. and negotiations can
i not break away from these
firm commitments. There are
, not very many. They are basil
! cally-first, we will maintain
; Allied right Of access on the
> ground and complete freedom
! of access in the air. Second,
: we will maintain the viability
of West Berlin, meaning free
= dom of movement for persons
! and goods into West Berlin.
S Third. we have agreed that we
E will maintain our garrisons in
West Berlin as long as the peo-
pie of West Berlin want them
We have also agreed with the
4 Federal Republic not to recog-
= nize any other government as
= speaking for any portion of the
S German people other than the
= Federal Republic until the Ger
= man people themselves have
S selected in free elections a gov
: eminent Of their own. We have
n also agreed to support the fu-
: ture Identification of Germany
= Finally, and l also think very
= Importantly. we have said that
o we intend to support no lessen
ing of the ties that exist be.
tween West Berlin and the
d Federal Republic.