Ulbricht Relentless

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31926, 1 March 1969, Page 13

Ulbricht Relentless

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copy right) WEST BERLIN, Feb. 28. A tough, unrelenting line by East Germany, despite Soviet readiness for negotiations, is blocking the chances of an East-West deal over the simmering Berlin crisis. East Germany last night sharply rejected further talks with the city authority on a way out of the dispute about next Wednesday’s West German Presidential election in West Berlin. The Communists want West Germany to agree to holding the election elsewhere before talks on other matters. But this is completely opposed to the West German stand, that any climb-down over the elec-

tion must be matched by East German agreement to allow family visits across the Berlin Wall on all public holidays each year. East Germany so far has spoken of a passes deal covering only the Easter period.

The West German Chancellor (Dr Kurt Kiesinger) said in a television interview last night that he had the impression that the Soviet Union genuinely wanted a settlement.

Dr Kiesinger said that at a meeting in Bonn last Saturday, the Soviet Ambassador (Mr Semyon Tsarapkin) had indicated that Moscow genuinely wanted an agreement. Mr Tsarapkin had told him that a change in the election venue would improve BonnMoscow relations.

“But,” Dr Kiesinger added, “from recent remarks by Mr Walter Ulbricht (East Germany’s leader) one can hardly think he wants an agreement.”