EAST GERMAN REACTION

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28897, 18 May 1959, Page 11

EAST GERMAN REACTION

“Old Adenauer Conception” (Rec. 8 p.m.) ROSTOCK, May 16. The East German Communist leader, Mr Walter Ulbricht, has rejected the Western peace plan at Geneva as aiming at the annexation of East Germany. Calling for a start to “realistic negotiations,” he said the West had put the plan forward in deference to the West German Chancellor, Dr. Adenauer. In the Western plan, the conclusion of a peace treaty was put last, which meant that all steps leading to German reunification would take place in conditions of the atomic armament of West Germany and the domination of militarism there, and preparations for civil war. After elections in which “revanchist and militarist propaganda would be allowed,” the Western Powers reckoned on a majority which could decide on the inclusion of all Germany in N.A.T.O. Mr Ulbricht said the Western proposals were the old Adenauer conception, and would lead to the organisation of civil war from which a general war would develop. “Such a policy is madness.” he said. “We hope that the Foreign Ministers will now proceed to more realistic discussion of the main question—the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany and the normalisation of the situation in West Berlin,” he said.