Kroll Rebuked By Adenauer

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 22

Kroll Rebuked By Adenauer

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BONN, November 15. The West German Ambassador to Russia (Mr Hans Kroll! was rebuked last night for going beyond his instructions in dealing with Mr Nikita Khrushchev, the British United Press reported.

Mr, Kroll, who was called back to Germany earlier than had been planned, saw the West German Chancellor (Dr. Konrad Adenauer).

After the meeting, the Federal Press Office, azcording to the British United Press, issued this statement: “The Federal Chancellor today received Kroll ... to hear a report . . . which showed that the personal views which Ambassador Kroll developed in his last talk with the Soviet Prime Minister were not authorised by the Federal Government. “The Federal Government will continue, together with its Western partners, to seek a solution of the German and Berlin question on toe basis of agreement." The agency said this was a rebuke for Mr Kroll, but in view of previous official West German statements, the communique is considered unexpectedly mild. Before seeing Dr. Adenauer, Mr Kroll denied to reporters that he bad exceeded his functions during his balks with Mr Khrushchev.

Mr Kroll told reporters his talk had served two aims. Finding out toe Soviet attitude on current problems. The relaxation of tension. West German Government spokesmen in Bonn said that Mr Kroll took an “unauthorised initiative” with Mr Khrushchev by proposing a Big Four agreement assuring a new status for West Berlin, and a Soviet agreement with East Germany to respect that status. Asked if he had taken an “unauthorised initiative," Mr Kroll replied: “Do you believe that an ambassador does his duty when he does not take any initiative?”

The portly,- bushy-browed ambassador was almost mobbed by journalists and phowgi-aphers as he stepped out of a helicopter which brought him from Brussels after a flight from Moscow. He had been told to return two days earlier than planned and diwe immediately to Bonn to see Dr. Adenauer.

Asked by reporters if he would return to Moscow, Mr Kroll, who joined the German Foreign Service in 1921, said that would depend on Dr. Adenauer. •'lf I do not. one man will be very pleased Mr Ulbrkht" (the East German Communist leader). Mr Kroll declined to give details of his talks with Mr Khrushchev. He described them as an exchange of views, without commitment by either side.