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

41. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany¹

Washington, May 20, 1964, 4:17 p.m.

3283. Washington visit of Mayor Brandt May 18–19 went off smoothly and effectively in cordial atmosphere throughout, and on departure yesterday evening Brandt expressed himself as extremely well satisfied with visit. High point was 45-minute private talk May 18 with President, followed by luncheon for 50 guests (including Secretaries Rusk and McNamara, Generals Taylor and Clay, Dean Acheson and John McCloy) hosted by President. Following schedule which left him virtually no free time, Brandt had separate talks with Secretaries Rusk and McNamara, Mrs. John Kennedy, Attorney General, Senator Fulbright, McGeorge Bundy, Rostow, Ambassador Thompson, President’s Scientific Advisor and officers of EUR, GER and BTF. Program also included luncheon speech to Overseas Writers Club, two receptions and various background briefings for correspondents. Senator Schuetz and Bahr accompanied Brandt to most appointments.

Substantive discussions covered wide range of subjects. Among highlights were following:

1. Emphasis placed by Brandt at every opportunity, as expected, on his advocacy of step-by-step approach to alleviate division of Berlin and Germany and introduce some new movement into German situation. He said he supported FonMin Schroeder’s policy of “knocking at the kitchen window” (i.e., at Ulbricht’s flanks and rear in Eastern Europe) but felt that at same time efforts should be made to “knock at the front door” (i.e., in Berlin). While expressing hope in rather wistful way that Allies could be “somewhat less neutral” on complex of problems centering around Passierschein issue, he expressed confidence Germans in Berlin and Bonn could work out common position for new pass arrangement, to which he hoped Allies would be able lend their full support. (See septel)²

2. Brandt’s indication to Rostow that he was now prepared give his full support to MLF.

3. Brandt’s low-key suggestion to Secretary of possibility some sort of non-aggression agreement between FedRep and Poland.

4. Strong plea by Brandt that RIAS be left untouched in event any curtailment USIS operations in Europe owing budgetary stringencies.

5. Repeated mention by Brandt and Schuetz of political need for further strengthening of ties between FedRep and West Berlin, with particular reference to Globelgesetz.

6. President’s luncheon toast³ stressing constancy of US purpose to bring about a united Berlin within a united Germany on basis self-determination and in peace and freedom, and fact that “until this objective is achieved there can be no real and lasting peace in Europe or, indeed, in the rest of the world.”

7. Conversation with Secretary McNamara highlighted need for better public understanding in FRG of danger posed by communist aggression in Viet Nam, political and military value of MLF as means of bolstering NATO solidarity, US determination to maintain six divisions in FRG as long as needed and as long as US able finance foreign exchange costs, and fact that FRG military forces once built up to NATO force levels will be minimum necessary in order meet communist threat to NATO.

Detailed memcons follow.⁴

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files,POL 7 GER W. Confidential. Also sent to Berlin and repeated to Paris, Moscow, and London.
2. Not found.
3. For text, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964, Book I, pp. 694–695.
4. A memorandum of conversation between Brandt and Secretary Rusk is Document 40. A memorandum of Brandt’s conversation with Bundy, May 18, is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Germany, Brandt Visit 1964. A memorandum of conversation between Brandt and McNamara, May 19, is in Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 GER W. Memoranda of his May 19 talks with Walt Rostow are ibid., POL GER W–US, and ibid., DEF (MLF).