200. Telegram From the Mission at Berlin to the Department of State0
Berlin, July 3,
1963, 3 p.m.
12. During talk with Gov Mayor Brandt July 2 latter gave me general rundown on his talk with President Kennedy on June 25 in Bonn.1 Brandt said they took up four general subjects.
- 1)
- A personal exchange of views on German political situation and leaders with particular reference to period between now and 1965 elections.
- 2)
- A discussion of general European policy, including reference to forthcoming international meetings in Stockholm and Berlin, where Brandt will have opportunity talk with Harold Wilson and Monnet, among others. Brandt believed that summer meeting in Stockholm and autumn meeting in Berlin would afford opportunities to examine where Europe is going and how to broaden participation in European community.
- 3)
- Brandt said President had asked for his views on MLF, and had told President frankly that from political viewpoint he was not enthusiastic, although recognizing that there may be important military reasons for moving ahead in this field.
- 4)
- Regarding Berlin, President asked Brandt for his ideas regarding speeches and statements to be made there, and this had led to general exchange on current situation. According to Brandt they discussed specifically latter’s ideas on alleviation of human misfortune caused by the wall through limited contacts and visits between two parts of Berlin, initially of families most affected by division. Brandt apparently described his current efforts through Red Cross to bring about quiet and informal discussion of these possibilities by both sides.
Brandt commented at end that he was both surprised and pleased at depth and detail of President’s information about Berlin.
Calhoun