96. Editorial Note
On July 7, 1970, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt chaired a closed session of his Cabinet to discuss plans for the final round of negotiations on a renunciation-of-force agreement with the Soviet Union. According to one report, Brandt remarked, after a detailed review of the talks in Moscow, that “possible misunderstandings” with the United States over his Eastern policy might require “a redefinition of the West German relationship with the three Western powers” in the form of a joint declaration. Brandt also announced that the timing of his meeting with East German Premier Willi Stoph in Kassel on May 21 had been a “mistake, and he would not want another such meeting unless there was assurance of some success.” (National Archives, RG 59, EUR/CE Files: Lot 91 D 341, POL 39.5, 1970 Four Power Talks, July Commentary on Talks)
In a meeting with the three Western Ambassadors on July 9, West German State Secretary Paul Frank further reported that “the Cabinet had definitely decided to view the results of the previous FRG-Soviet discussions, including the texts worked out by Bahr with the Soviets, as preliminary and open to change. Although the Soviets would undoubtedly bring pressure on the FRG for early signature, the Cabinet had decided there should be genuine negotiation in the future talks with the Soviets on changes in order to make the text more acceptable, even though this might take a considerable amount of time.” (Telegram 7908 from Bonn, July 9; ibid., Central Files 1970–73, POL GER W–USSR)
In a memorandum to President Nixon on July 13, Henry Kissinger summarized Brandt’s comments to the Cabinet on Berlin as follows: “Brandt expressed great concern over the economic, political and psychological situation in West Berlin. According to Brandt, the Allies are not moving quickly or well enough in the Berlin talks, and he fears the Soviets are proving more than a match for the Allies. Brandt would like to get a statement from the Allies that they intend to accomplish improvements in access, inner-city communication, and Berlin’s representation abroad. Though he said he would reduce Federal presence in West Berlin in exchange for Soviet concessions, Brandt made clear that he would not let the West German flag there be pulled down.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 24, President’s Daily Briefs, July 11–July 20, 1970)