W. Germany Signs Pact

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30216, 22 August 1963, Page 9

W. Germany Signs Pact

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, August 20. After 11 days of hesitation. West Germany yesterday signed the Nuclear Test-ban Treaty in Washington. London and Moscow. At the same time she issued a declaration emphasising her continued refusal to recognise East Germany. Her Ambassador in Washington hailed the treaty as a possible first step in reducing tensions. But a West German envoy in Moscow broke precedent by declining to make a speech after signing. Mr Guenther Scholl, the Charge d'Affaires, sat without moving as the brief ceremony ended. Then he rose from the table and said: "Thank you very much indeed. I have nothing to say." Soviet diplomats looked surprised. There was silence for several seconds. Then Mr Sdholl and the Russian Foreign Ministry’s secretarygeneral. Mr O. Podserov, shock hands. A West German source said Mr Scholl had not been instructed to speak. The German envoy later joined Soviet officials in drinking toasts in Soviet champagne. In Bonn, a Government statement said West Germany’s accession to the treaty to no way implied Western recogmteton of East Germany. East Germany has Signed the treaty in Moscow.