Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XV, Germany and Berlin

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

Bonn, January 31, 1967, 1734Z.

8889. NATUS info. Subj: Chancellor Kiesinger’s concern for U.S. understanding.

1. During a dinner party given by the Chancellor yesterday evening, he drew the DCM aside to express the hope that there would be no misunderstanding in the United States as to his intentions. He was firmly committed to NATO and to the necessity for a continuing U.S. troop presence in Europe as essential to German security. He also wanted us to know that the developing German Eastern policy would be conducted with due regard for U.S. interests, and that we should not be alarmed if, in view of current French influence in Eastern Europe, the FRG relied primarily on the French to vouch for it.

2. Kiesinger went on to say that he did not have the impression from his recent visit to Paris that de Gaulle hated the United States or was taking revenge for imagined or real slights suffered in the past. He was, however, genuinely resentful of U.S. cultural and economic influence in France and of what he considered the contamination effect of the overwhelming American presence in Europe. Kiesinger noted he had emphasized that the FRG wants a strong United States in Europe to which de Gaulle had responded with a shrug.

Comment: Osterheld, who remains on in the Chancellery as head of the External Political Affairs Section, later stressed to the DCM that the Chancellor is very sensitive to the possibility that his actions will be misunderstood in the United States. He wants us to know that the basic German policy of friendship towards us² and reliance upon us for the security of Europe remains unchanged.

We have heard from other sources of Kiesinger’s concern in this regard. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity, though some of the advice he is getting from within his party may not be so friendly.

McGhee

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files,POL 15–1 GER W. Confidential; Limdis. Repeated to Paris, London, and Moscow and passed to the White House.
2. President Johnson reviewed a copy of this telegram, circled the phrase “German policy of friendship towards us,” and wrote: “Walt, I have my doubts—Can we talk about this. L.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Germany, vol. 12)