114. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- German Question
PARTICIPANTS
-
US
- Secretary Rusk
- Under Secretary Ball
- Ambassador Thompson
- Assistant Secretary Leddy
- Ambassador McGhee
- Mr. Puhan
- Mr. Obst, Interpreter
- German
- Foreign Minister Schroeder
- Ambassador Knappstein
- Dr. Simon, Aide to Schroeder
- Mr. Weber, Interpreter
Minister Schroeder said that closer ties between East and West are a value in themselves. They might not always have a direct bearing on progress towards reunification, but that objective is always in German thoughts.
Ambassador McGhee observed that de Gaulle thinks that only by economic and some other closer ties can the reunification of Germany be brought about.
Minister Schroeder suggested that in approaching the German question in the future, the United States and Germany should first explore the matter bilaterally. Then these discussions could be broadened to include the others.
Minister Schroeder added that the talks should be kept highly informal.
Ambassador Knappstein emphasized that they must be kept absolutely secret.
Ambassador McGhee asserted that any suggestions prepared for the group of powers should have substance.
Minister Schroeder pointed out that the FRG attitude towards the Four Powers has not changed. The FRG knows the prospect for reunification is not good now. The German position is to continue to rely on the Four Powers for the settlement of the German question but initially to discuss bilaterally what is possible.
[Page 284]Mr. Ball said there should also be talks with the United Kingdom.
Minister Schroeder replied that he did not have exclusive talks in mind. The British could be included a little later.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Germany, vol. 8. Secret. Drafted by Obst and Kent and approved in S, U, and G on June 23. The meeting was held at Blair House. The source text is marked “Part II of II.” Part I, a discussion of Eastern Europe, is ibid.↩