Two Germanies again talk about ‘fresh start’

Press, 20 December 1985, Page 17

Two Germanies again talk about ‘fresh start’

From

TONY CATTERALL

in Bonn,

CATHERINE FIELD in East Berlin

Indications are becoming increasingly clear that the two Germanies are getting ready to use the “fresh start” in East-West relations proclaimed after the summit meeting in Geneva between the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union. The wish in both Bonn and East Berlin has long been there, but the possibilities were limited in the climate of hostility which existed between the super-Powers before the summit. Both sides now characterise the time as being ripe. In East Germany, Prime Minister Willi Stoph told the People’s Chamber (Parliament) that after Geneva the conditions for a renewed dialogue between nations with differing social systems had become more favourable. Shortly afterwards, the Bonn Minister for Intra-German Relations, Heinrich Windeln, told journalists in his “end of year report” that the summit had created the “framework conditions” for a new phase in East-West relations. Both made it clear they had intra-German relations in mind. In particular, the East German Communist Party leader and head of state, Erich Honecker, wasted no time in using to the fullest advantage the current favourable winds of detente. The symbolic pinnacle of a rapprochement would be a visit by Honecker to the West, “indefinitely" postponed” just over 12 months ago

when East-West relations were at their frostiest for years. The pressure from Moscow is now assumed to be off, and Honecker acted quickly in the wake of Geneva to remove one of his hardest critics within the East German leadership, Konrad Naumann, who could have caused trouble over a Western visit. Naumann “resigned” all his party posts, ostensibly on health grounds. The unofficial view in Berlin is that he was sacked because of his opposition to almost the entire range of current policies, social, economic, and foreign. Honecker was able to dismiss him because, through his obnoxious and often rude manner and excessive drinking and womanising, Naumann offended too many people in the hierarchy. The sudden death of the Defence Minister, Heinz Hoffmann, just as much a Honecker critic but after 25 years in office in an unassailable position, has also eased the party leader’s situation. West Germany has long been preparing the specific intra-Ger-man pre-conditions for a visit, mainly in the form of small and unspectacular steps such as agreeing to return "cultural objects” which originally sat in what is now

East Germany but which were removed westwards in the end phases of the war to save them from the Red Army.

Bonn also raised the limit on the interest-free revolving credit arrangement — known as the “swing” — which it provides for intra-German trade, by more than 40 per cent to $340 million. And although it refuses to budge on an East German claim that a part of their northern border should lie in the middle of the river Elbe instead of on the north-east bank, Heinrich Windeln has now conceded that a “treaty of usage” could be one way around the

impasse. East Germany has done its part, too, allowing more people to emigrate to the West, easing some of the objectionable restrictions on travel by its citizens, expanding a youth exchange scheme, and removing the mines which had been laid along its side of the joint border.

Windeln expresses doubts, however, as to the accuracy of a report saying the order to border guards to shoot would-be escapists has been rescinded. Bonn and East Berlin have also recently concluded negotiations on a cultural agreement which the Minister characterises as more wide-ranging than similar treaties

Bonn has had with other countries. Importantly, it specifically includes West Berlin, which the East Germans normally deny is a part of West Germany.

Significantly, East Germany has not recently raised one of its longterm and most difficult demands, that Bonn recognise a separate East German citizenship (the West German constitution states there is only one Germany, and hence only one citizenship).

It seems that only one stumbling block remains to a Honecker visit: the question of whether West Germany will officially take part in research for the American Strategic Defence Initiative (5.D.1.).

Chancellor Helmut Kohl has said a decision will be made before Christmas, and no-one in Bonn expects it to be a negative one. That could lead to a renewal of Soviet pressure on Honecker. A visit before Christmas is ruled out in Bonn on time grounds, but despite all the East bloc opposition to S.D.L, observers in East Berlin think Honecker might be able to fudge the issue. If the visit is to take place, a time nearer to April is now being suggested in East Berlin, enabling Honecker to return for the congress of his party in that month as a hero of detente.

It would set the crown on his career and allow the 73-year-old leader to start preparing the handpower to a new generation. Copyright — London Observer Service.