Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XIII, Western Europe Region

244. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State¹

Bonn, March 30, 1967, 1233Z.

11427. Vipto 23. Pass White House for the President. Subj: Vice President’s visit: March 29 meeting with Brandt—European relations.² (Following is approved record of conversation)

1. Vice President said that Europe had changed a great deal in the past few years, but one thing that had not changed was strong U.S. support of European unity. What we sought was a full and equal partner, working in concert with U.S.

2. President had told him before leaving Washington, Vice President said, that he was authorized to say that (1) President was ready to meet his full NATO commitment if others did, and (2) that he looked with strong favor on developing political and economic unity in Europe. Vice President called attention to his own March 5 speech at Fulton, Missouri, in which he said that Atlantic cohesion remained a necessity. The building of a strong and positive Alliance did not preclude better East-West relations; it was a necessity for them. The U.S. also looked with favor upon a closer French-German association. Friendship between France and Germany was vital to a better and stronger Europe. There was nothing wrong with such an association between nations so long as it did not become separatist and inward.

3. Brandt agreed with this. He said that there were two sure talking lines which would bring enthusiasm from the German people: one of them was the need for peace with the East; the other was the need for French-German reconciliation. Such reconciliation, he said, was not a matter of governments. Even bad governments would not be able to destroy it. It was an expression of desire of French and German peoples. It was not a matter of choosing between France and United States. France must always remain a friend. The United States would always remain Germany’s strongest and most important partner.

4. Our interest in Europe is what it was and more, the Vice President said. Our task now is to consult and work even more closely together. Brandt suggested that Vice President mention to Chancellor Kiesinger the President’s assurances re NATO and European unity.

McGhee

1. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 67 D 586, CF 142. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Passed to the White House.
2. Vice President Humphrey visited Europe March 28–April 8. A complete set of the reporting telegrams and memoranda of his conversations is ibid.