Talks on Germany in final phase

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 17

Talks on Germany in final phase

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) EAST BERLIN, November 5. East and West German negotiators are meeting in East Berlin again today for what will probably be their final session of talks after reaching virtual agreement on a treaty to restore their relations to normal and to enable the two States to enter the United Nations.

At the same time, envoys of the four Great Powers responsible for Germany will also complete their separate talks in West Berlin on reaffirming their rights in Germany as a whole. A declaration by the Soviet Union, the United States,

Britain, and France is necessary; to protect Allied rights, especially for free access to isolated West Berlin, in the event of the entry of both Germanies into the United Nations.

West Germany is anxious for such a declaration, which would serve to underline the i principle of the unity of the German nation, in spite of the division into Communist and capitalist States. Western Allied sources say that the text of the declaration will be published in the capitals of the four Great Powers, but not in Berlin. The sources also say that, both sets of negotiations are now virtually complete.

The East and West German negotiators disclosed after 54 hours of hard talking yesterday that clear progress on the accord, putting their relations on a new footing, had at last been achieved. The East German representative, Dr Michael Kohl,

told journalists he felt that the main obstacles had been overcome, and that the talks were now in their final phase. The West German negotiator, Mr Egon Bahr, flew back to Bonn last night to report today to an interparty committee and a meeting of Government Ministers.