Diplomatic Dilemma

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 13

Diplomatic Dilemma

J N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BONN, May 9. The announcement yesterday that East Germany’s representation in Cambodia is to be raised to ambassadorial level has immediately posed West Germany with the problem of how to react

Iraq last week became the first non-Communist country to give East Germany full diplomatic recognition; but as Bonn has no ambassador in Bagdad, it -:uld do no more than describe the move as an unfriendly act and consider whether. to withdraw its already meagre aid. West Germany does, however, have an ambassador in Cambodia, and is now faced

with the problem of how far to apply its Hallstein Doctrine of refusing to entertain rela-

tions with any non-Communist country which recognises East Germany. The Bonn doctrine originally regarded recognition of East Germany by any State as an unfriendly act, but this was modified when West Germany exchanged ambassadors with Rumania and renewed its diplomatic relations with Jugoslavia. Officials argue that Communist countries are obliged to recognise East Germany, and have no free choice. Diplomatic sources say that Cambodian ambassadorial representation could only mean full diplomatic recognition of East Germany, but the West German Foreign Ministry wants to know precisely the terms of the Cambodian • East German agreement before commenting on the move.