Evening star., 1963-12-30
ERHARD
Only Limit Imposed on Peace Moves
Is Ban on Perpetuating German Split

NohthACA NANh Y A8C nj
tons. We see matters With
exactly the same eyes. We
share the courage Of exploring
new avenues and new ideas"
Mr.. johnson summed up his
attitude IN these words: we
shall never Be to weary. never
be too tired. never be too con-
tent. or never too complacent
TO walk another mile toward
peace with honor.
But neither shall We be too
weak. or too uncertain. or too
unsIre, or too reluctant to de-
fend honor. or tn search for
peace wherever there is hope
to find it."
The President SAID ne knew
West Germany is at Americas
side working with us, walking
with us-yes. searching with
us-hoping with us. praying
with US in our yearning
for peace on earth, good will
toward all men"
In his press conference, Mr..
Erhard told questioners, mo
hard and fast program was
established regarding new
Western initiatives for seeking
to ease tensions between Fast
and West.
We certainly are deter
mined" he added, Ito defend
our freedom and to work to-
wards a worthy and Just peace
and peaceful living together Of
nations"
Numerous Attempts
The West German leader said
I'VE are also courageous enough
to think. to discuss, and to
study together whether, and If
so which, opportunities exist
which might bring about an
easing Of East-West tensions"
He noted that the West has
made numerous attempts IN
that connection" But he
stressed that I'VE are OPEN
minded-we want to remain
flexible"
He said West Germany has
particularly great understand
ing for the attitude Of the
United States "in trying to
move the threshold of a hot
war as far away as possible"
Would Be Anathema
But any such negotiations [
with East Germans that would |
tend toward recognition Of the
Communist regime would be '
anathema to the Bonn govern {
ment. he said.
Mr.. Erhard emphasized,
however, that I'VE certainly are
prepared on our side and, If
possible, in an informal way,
without having recourse to
formalities, to see the wall
opened"
Major points in the commu-
nique, aside from the East
West relations issue. included:
/. Forthcoming trade nego-
tiations the so-called Kennedy
round" Of tsriff-cutting talks
in Geneva this spring-"should
be guided by the double OBJ
jective Of enlarged interna-
tional trade and increasing ,
economic integration in Eu-
rope"
2. Agricultural as we'll as in ,
dustrial products must be in ,
cluded" in the negotiations-a
reflection of the United States |
concern that American farm ,
products have access to Com
mon Market countries. 8
8. Reaffirmation of a shared {
commitment to the peaceful
unification Of the German peo- {
pie in freedom, by SELF deter l
mination." l
4. Renewal of the United
States commitment to main
tain the present SUBDIVISION s
level Of combat forces in Ger
many. as long as they are I
needed"
Item Not Covered
One Of the things not COW
cred in the communique in
wolves the setting up of a Ger
man-American working COM
mittee to clarity the meaning
of agreements reached in re-
cent BRUSSELS negotiations by
the European Common Market -
nations.
American officials were pleas
antly surprised by some of the
explanations offered during
the Texas talks by the German
representative about the Brus-
sells results. The President and
the Chancellor referred the +
matter to experts for technical S
study. 4.
The commur1ique reported
that Mr.. johnson and Mr.. Err
hard agreed they would MAIN
tain the closest personal COM
munications."
Mr.. Erhard said there may
be more frequent personal I
meetings-as well as exchanges r
of personal letters between A
him and the President.
Eooao&oeo Rohon :