77. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany1
773. For the Ambassador from the Secretary. In view of Bonn’s 23242 I want you to get a little personal view of the core of the problem as it appeared at our quadripartite dinner on the subject of an initiative on German unification. The big question the other three had to examine was whether the German attitude toward an initiative was serious from an international point of view or was merely a somewhat empty international gesture designed to meet the internal political requirements of the present government in Germany. Quite frankly, I had the impression that during the period before the election the Germans wanted to be talking about reunification but were adamantly opposed to talking about the inevitable accompanying questions such as frontiers, security arrangements in Europe, disarmament and such other issues as would inevitably arise in discussing unification. From my point of view there was another issue involving particularly France. In 1961–62 I spent almost [Page 185] two years talking with the Russians to ascertain whether there was any basis for negotiation and at times found myself almost alone because of the French attitude. If there is to be a public diplomatic initiative, I want to be sure that the French mean it and are prepared to stay on board; else I should be looking around and asking “where is everybody.”
As I have just told you I will be seeing Gromyko on Saturday and will try to find out whether they have any interest in informal four-power talks on the German question, without agenda, in order to explore whether some progress might be made. I shall keep you informed and would want you to keep in prompt touch with Schroeder so that he will feel that we are trying to work as closely with him as possible.