At the skyscraper Foreign Ministry Building in Moscow, delegations from West Germany and the Soviet Union have begun talks aimed at a treaty to renounce the use of force between the two countries--bitterest of enemies during World War II.
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
Background: At the skyscraper Foreign Ministry Building in Moscow, delegations from West Germany and the Soviet Union have begun talks aimed at a treaty to renounce the use of force between the two countries--bitterest of enemies during World War II.
Foreign Minister Herr Walter Scheel was at the head of the West German delegation when talks began on Monday (July 27). Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Gromyko welcomed also German Foreign Ministry State Secretary Dr. Paul Frank, and Chancellery State Secretary Egon Barr, Herr Brandt's close adviser, who laid the groundwork for the negotiations in recent months.
The pact on which the two Foreign Ministers hope to agree would declare existing European frontiers inviolate, and pledge their two countries never to threaten or use force against each other.
After the first meeting between the two sides in the morning, Herr Scheel said the atmosphere had been very co-operative.
Herr Scheel and Mr. Gromyko exchanged remarks and jokes in German and Russian, through interpreters, as their delegations sat down opposite one another for the afternoon session at a wide round table.
Both men smiled and appeared relaxed as they posed for several minutes for photographs in the ornate room where the late West German Chancellor met the then Soviet Premier, Marshal Nikolai Bulganin, when he visited Moscow 15 years ago.
If successful these talks could open the way for Bonn to closer links with Eastern Europe, and broader trade with Moscow. They could also relax the tensions which have gripped Europe during 25 years of uneasy peace.
Especially tough should be the bargaining on the self-determination of West Berlin.
No limit has been set on the talks, and the length of Herr Scheel's visit could depend on the progress made in the discussions.
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