Copy No. 4

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

June 3, 1963

Dinner May 17, 1963. Present: Fritz Berg, Kurt Birrenbach, Otto Wolff von Amerogen, Baron Oppenheim, Mrs. Focke

The dinner took place in the home of Otto Wolff. It was notable above all because of the rather unpleasant pushiness of most of the industrialists. Birrenbach who has long been associated with Jean Monnet was the exception. He deplored the blow to European integration inflicted by De Gaulle's veto of Britain's entry into the Common Market. He said that while the purely economic features of the Common Market would continue, political integration was for the time being inconceivable. France was too nationalistic for Europe. Having wrecked EDC and now Britain's entry, confidence had been severely dented. Birrenbach expressed the hope that Britain would find its way into Europe by means of a European atomic force. Birrenbach indicated that he would prefer this to a multilateral force.

Birrenbach spoke from a European perspective. The others spoke about France in a way that was more reminiscent of traditional German nationalism, a combination of disdain, lack of interest and even insolence. They clearly gloried in being the "good boys of Europe."

With respect to the United States, the consensus was that the United States was the only partner to which Germany could subordinate itself. There were general evocations of U.S.-German unity and great hopes were held out for the President's reception in Germany.

The only point of disagreement concerned our defense policy. Fritz Berg launched into a violent tirade against Adam Yarmolinsky who he claimed had advocated a purely conventional defense of Europe at a private dinner. Berg said this was unacceptable and would lead to the end of NATO. Berg, more

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

or less supported by the others, also claimed that having the NATO multilateral
force on surface ships was an insult to the intelligence of the Germans.

The rest of the discussion concerned German domestic politics. The
consensus was that Erhard was already used up. If the CDU lost votes in the
next election in 1965, he would be replaced. Otherwise he might stay in office
though everybody present expressed the most serious doubts about his competence.

Henry A. Kissinger

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dinner May 17, 1963. Present: Fritz Berg, Kurt Birrenbach, Otto Wolff von Amerogen, Baron Oppenheim, Mrs. Focke.

The dinner took place in the home of Otto Wolff. It was notable above all because of the rather unpleasant plushiness of most of the industrialists. Birrenbach who has long been associated with Jean Monnet was the exception. He deplored the blow to European integration inflicted by De Gaulle's veto of Britain's entry into the Common Market. He said that while the purely economic features of the Common Market would continue, political integration was for the time being inconceivable. France was too nationalistic for Europe. Having wrecked EDC and now Britain's entry, confidence had been severely dented. Birrenbach expressed the hope that Britain would find its way into Europe by means of a European Atlantic Force. Birrenbach indicated that he would prefer this to a multilateral force.

With respect to the United States, the consensus was that the United States was the only partner to which Germany could subordinate itself. There were general impressions of U.S.-German unity and great hopes were held out for the President's recleption in Germany.

The only point of disagreement concerned our defense policy. Fritz Berg launched into a violent tirade against Adam Yarimovsky, who he claimed had advocated a purely conventional defense of Europe at a private dinner. Berg said this was unacceptable and would lead to the end of NATO. Berg, more or less supported by the others, also claimed that having the NATO multilateral force on

2

The rest of the discussion concerned German domestic politics. The consensus was that Erhard was already used up. If the CDU lost votes in the next election in 1966, he would be replaced. Otherwise he might stay in office though everybody present here expressed the most serious doubts about his competence.