REFLECTIONS ON EAST-WEST RELATIONS BY ARTHUR F. BURNS AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86M00886R001200140002-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 27
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 27, 1984
• Content Type: REPORT

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STAT
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C4- 10054
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Bonn, Germany
November 28, 1984
The Honorable
William J. Casey
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, DC 20505
You may be interested in an address
on East-West relations that I gave in Berlin on
November 27th. I am enclosing a copy together
with my greetings and best wishes.
Sincerely,
C32p'
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REFLECTIONS ON EAST-WEST RELATIONS
BY
ARTHUR F. BURNS
AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
AT A MEETING OF THE
INDUSTRIE UND HANDELSKAMMER
NOVEMBER 27, 1984
BERLIN
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REFLECTIONS ON EAST-WEST R LATIONS
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS
DISTINGUISHED AUDIENCE
ON THE TOPIC OF EAST-WEST RELATIONS.
THE CITY OF BERLIN PROVIDES.AN ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE
SETTING FOR DISCUSSING THIS VITAL SUBJECT. NO CITY
EXPRESSES MORE POIGNANTLY THE TRAGIC DIVISION OF EUROPE. No
CITY POINTS MORE CLEARLY TO THE NEED FOR FINDING REASONABLE
AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO OVERCOME THIS DIVISION.
BERLINERS KNOW AIT FIRST-HAND THE PROBLEMS THAT A
DIVIDED EUROPE HAS CRE'AATED AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF RESOLVING
THEM. WITH THE BERLINI,WALL AS A CONSTANT REMINDERS YOU HAVE
NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT FINDING EASY SOLUTIONS. YOU KNOW ONLY
TOO WELL THAT A.UNITEDHWILL, FORTITUDE; AND PATIENCE ARE
ESSENTIAL FOR A BETTERIHFUTURE.
BERLINERS ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS REASON FOR HOPE.
THE CONCLUSION OF THE QUADRIPARTITE AGREEMENT THIRTEEN YEARS
AGO DEMONSTRATED THAT REASONABLE SOLUTIONS CAN BE FOUND TO
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SOME OF THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THE PEOPLE OF
BERLIN--DESPITE SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE EAST-WEST
DIFFERENCES. THAT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN STRIKINGLY
SUCCESSFUL. BECAUSE Of IT) WEST BERLINERS TODAY LIVE MORE
SECURELY) TRAVEL MORE FREELY! AND ENJOY CLOSER CONTACTS WITH
THEIR,FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN EAST BERLIN AND IN THE GERMAN
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC THAN WAS POSSIBLE THIRTEEN YEARS AGO.
BERLINERS THUS HAVE REASON FOR OPTIMISM. YOU KNOW
THAT SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND
FAMILIES HAS BEEN ACHIEVED HERE. YOU REALIZE THAT FURTHER
IMPROVEMENTS ARE BOTH NEEDED AND POSSIBLE. AND YOU CAN
REMAIN CONFIDENT THAT ADDITIONAL PROGRESS WHEN AND AS IT
EMERGES) WILL FOSTER THE TRUST NEEDED TO ATTAIN THE WIDER'
PEACE--IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF JUSTICE AND FREEDOM--THAT WE ALL
SEEK.
As BERLINERS ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF
BETTER RELATIONS-BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND
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THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ALSO INVOLVES HUMAN RELATIONS
AT ITS VERY CORE. As IN THE CASE OF YOUR DIVIDED CITY)
THERE IS A NEED TO FIND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE PAINFUL
PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM A DIVIDED GERMAN NATION. THIS IS
BOUND TO BE A PROTRACTED PROCESS THAT WILL HAVE ITS
FRUSTRATIONS AS WELL AS SUCCESSES. A FUNDAMENTAL TASK FOR
ALL OF US IS TO KEEP IN MIND THE HUMANITARIAN GOAL OF THIS
PROCESS AND NOT-ALLOW IT TO BE SUBORDINATED TO OTHER
OBJECTIVES.
THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
WELCOME THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLOSER TIES BETWEEN EAST AND
WEST GERMANY. PRESIDENT REAGAN SPECIFICALLY ENDORSED THIS
OBJECTIVE IN HIS SEPTEMBER ADDRESS TO THE. UNITED NATIONS-
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO
GERMAN STATES IS OBVIOUSLY OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE
WELL-BEING OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE) AND WE IN THE UNITED STATES
ARE READY TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE IT.
id
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AMERICANS SHARE THE HOPE OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE THAT A PROCESS
OF PEACEFUL EVOLUTION WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO A REUNIFIED
AND DEMOCRATIC GERMANY IN A_EUROPE THAT HAS BEEN FREED OF
ITS BARBED WIRE AND IMPRISONING WALLS.
AS EVERYONE BY NOW RECOGNIZES THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN MY OWN COUNTRY AND THE SOVIET UNION IS A MATTER OF
VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE OF GERMANY--INDEED THE
FUTURE OF THE ENTIRE WORLD. IT IS NOW NEARLY FORTY YEARS
SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF WORLD WAR II. DURING THIS PERIOD,
EUROPE HAS ENJOYED THE BLESSING OF PEACE--A CONDITION THAT
THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY UNITY OF THE WEST HAS MADE
POSSIBLE.. IT IS A DISCONCERTING FACTS NEVERTHELESS THAT WE
IN THE WEST AND THE WARSAW PACT IN THE EAST FIND OURSELVES
BURDENED WITH PERMANENT GARRISONS AND GROWING STOCKPILES OF
ARMAMENTS. NOT ONLY IS THE COST OF THIS COMMITMENT OF MEN
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AND MATERIAL HIGH IN ECONOMIC TERMS BUT SO ALSO IS THE
SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLO;GICAL.COST OF PERSISTENT TENSION.
THE LOGIC OF TH'E SITUATION CLEARLY REQUIRES THAT WE
WORK WITH THE SOVIET !NION TO ESTABLISH A MORE HARMONIOUS.
RELATIONSHIP. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT PRESIDENT REAGAN AND
HIS ADMINISTRATION ATTgCH THE HIGHEST. PRIORITY TO THAT
GOAL. As WE AMERICANS'AND OUR EUROPEAN FRIENDS PONDER THE
STATE OF THE WORLD AND~LAY PLANS FOR A BETTER FUTURE! EVERY
CIVILIZED IMPULSE TELLS US THAT A CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION MUST BE THE
FOCUS OF OUR CONCERN.
LAST JANUARY THE PRESIDENT DESCRIBED AT SOME LENGTH
AMERICA'S POLICY TOWARD THE SOVIET UNION AND HE REITERATED
OUR BASIC POLICY IN HIS RECENT ADDRESS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. WHAT THE PRESIDENT KEEPS STRESSING IS THE
URGENT NEED TO ESTABLISH A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH
_ I!
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THE SOVIET UNION--A REILATIONSHIP MARKED BY GREATER
COOPERATION AND UNDERTANDING. IT IS THIS POINTS AMERICA'S
COMMITMENT TO A REALISITIC, PRODUCTIVE EAST-WEST DIALOGUE
THAT I TOO WISH TO EMPjHASIZE THIS EVENING. I KNOW THAT OUR
EUROPEAN ALLIES SHARE THIS COMMITMENT.
RELATIONS BETWEEN COUNTRIES ARE A HIGHLY COMPLEX AND
SENSITIVE MATTER. ?GOV~ERNMENTSI UNFORTUNATELY, DO NOT ALWAYS
BEHAVE CALMLY AND RATIONALLY. THEY ARE RUN BY INDIVIDUALS
WHO; LIKE EACH OF US,HSHARE THE FRAILTY OF HUMAN NATURE.
SOME DEGREE INCOMPLETIE UNDERSTANDING IS AN INHERENT PART OF
LIFE ITSELF. WE FINDHHIT AMONG MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY
BETWEEN EMPLOYERS ANDL!THEIR WORKMEN BETWEEN PASTORS AND
THEIR PARISHIONERS, BETWEEN TEACHERS AND.THEIR STUDENTS.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISUNDERSTANDING ARE ALL THE GREATER AMONG
GOVERNMENTS OF SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES, BEING SEPARATED--AS THEY
USUALLY ARE--BY DIFFERIENCES OF LANGUAGE, HISTORY) AND CULTURE
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AS WELL AS BY GEOGRAPHY: I HAVE FOUND THAT EVEN IN
DAY-TO-DAY LIFE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RE-ESTABLISH TRUST
BETWEEN' INDIVIDUALS ONCE IT HAS BROKEN DOWN. I CONVEY NO
SECRET IN SAYING TO YOU THAT SOVIET-AMERICAN RELATIONS ARE
CURRENTLY IN A DIFFICULT PHASE--A PHASE IN WHICH THE
GIGANTIC TASK OF BUILDING TRUST-AND CONFIDENCE HAS BECOME
ESSENTIAL AND IS BEINGI~UNDERTAKEN.
I WOULD LIKE TOCOMMENT THIS EVENING ON SEVERAL STEPS
THAT ALL OF US IN THE t1~ESTERN COMMUNITY--BOTH AMERICANS AND
EUROPEANS--COULD TAKE TO PROMOTE SUCH AN AUSPICIOUS
DEVELOPMENT. THESE STEPS WOULD I BELIEVE CONTRIBUTE TO
IMPROVING THE EAST-WEST~CLIMATE1 AND ALLOW RELATIONS TO
DEVELOP ON A SOUNDER BASIS THAN HAS BEEN THE CASE IN THE
RECENT PAST.
it
THE FIRST STEP Ii WOULD STRESS IS THE NEED ON ALL
SIDES TO SOFTEN THE RHEjTORIC CONCERNING EAST-WEST
RELATIONS.
A STRIDENTi~RHETORIC CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO
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BUILDING THE BRIDGE O;F TRUST THAT IS NEEDED BETWEEN NATO
COUNTRIES AND THOSE OF THE WARSAW PACT. IT IS PARTICULARLY
IMPORTANT THAT THE UNITED.STATES~ BEING A THOROUGHLY
SELF-ASSURED NATIONIHEXTEND TO THE SOVIET UNION THE
CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDEjl THE CIVILITY; AND THE CONSIDERATION
THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR A USEFUL DIALOGUE. I OF COURSE HOPE
THAT THE SOVIET UNION WILL BEHAVE IN A SIMILAR FASHION.
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I ALSO BELIEVE THAT POLITICAL LEADERS AND JOURNALISTS
THROUGHOUT THE WEST NEED TO EXERCISE GREATER SELF-DISCIPLINE
AND AVOID RHETORIC THAT TENDS TO EXAGGERATE WESTERN
DIFFERENCES WITH REGAIRD TO EAST-WEST RELATIONS, OR THAT
AROUSES UNREALISTIC PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT CAN BE
QUICKLY ACHIEVED ORiHPAINTS A GLOOMIER PICTURE THAN IS
WARRANTED BY THE ACTUAL STATE OF AFFAIRS. ALL OF US, OF
COURSE, ARE CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM OF EAST-WEST
RELATIONS AND MAY WISH TO VOICE OUR VIEWS1 BUT WE NEED TO DO.
THAT IN WAYS THAT AVOID EXCITING PUBLIC PASSIONS OR RUN THE
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RISK OF FEEDING OPINIONS THAT HARM THE CAUSE WE ALL
SUPPORT. THE TIME HAS SURELY COME FOR CALM AND
DISPASSIONATE DISCUSSION OF EAST-WEST RELATIONS--NOT ONLY
BETWEEN EAST AND WEST,, BUT ALSO AMONG OURSELVES.
THE SECOND POINT I WOULD MAKE IS- THAT WE MUST LOOK
FORWARD RATHER THAN TO THE PAST. BY THIS I MEAN THAT WE
SHOULD NOT EXPECT EAST-WEST RELATIONS TO REVERT IN THE
FUTURE TO THE POLICIES AND WAYS THAT WE ASSOCIATE WITH THE
DETENTE OF THE 1970'8. HISTORY RARELY REPEATS ITSELF THAT
PRECISELY NOR SHOULD WE EXPECT THAT. WE MUST LEARN FROM
THE PAST) BUT NOT SEEK TO DUPLICATE IT. IMPROVED RELATIONS
BETWEEN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE UNITED STATES, WHICH I
BELIEVE WILL COME) WILL BE A NEW HISTORICAL PHASE IN THIS
RELATIONSHIP AND MAY WELL ASSUME NEW FORMS.
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IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO EXPECT THAT THE DIFFICULTIES OF
RECENT YEARS CAN SIMPLY BE SKIPPED OVER AND THAT THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION
CAN BE RESUMED AT THE POINT AT WHICH IT BEGAN TO
DETERIORATE. ONE REASON FOR OCCASIONAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
AMERICANS AND EUROPEANS IS THAT OUR PEOPLES HAVE NOT
EVALUATED THE RESULTS OF DETENTE IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.
EUROPEANS SAW BENEFITS FROM THE PROCESS OF DETENTES AS DID
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WHAT AMERICANS ALSO SAW, HOWEVER) AND
WHAT EUROPEANS MAY HAVE UNDERESTIMATED WHILE EMPHASIZING THE
POSITIVE RESULTS, WAS THE ACCOMPANYING SOVIET PATTERN OF
MILITARY ADVENTURE AND NEGLECT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. FROM AN
AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE, OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS BEING OF GLOBAL
SCOPE, THE BALANCE OF GOOD AND ILL RESULTING FROM DETENTE
WAS DEFINITELY LESS FAVORABLE FOR US-THAN FOR EUROPEANS WHO
COULD SEE THE BENEFICIAL RESULTS MUCH MORE DIRECTLY THAN THE
REGRETTABLE ELEMENTS OF SOVIET BEHAVIOR.
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EUROPEANS NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT SOVIET BEHAVIOR OVER
THE PAST DECADE--RANGING FROM ITS ENORMOUS ARMS BUILD-UPS AT
A TIME WHEN AMERICAN DEFENSE OUTLAYS WERE ACTUALLY
DECLINING) TO ITS INTERVENTION IN AFGHANISTAN AND
POLAND--COULD NOT LEAVE AMERICA UNAFFECTED. THOSE WHO FAIL
TO SEE THIS HAVE LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
OR OF THE ROLE THAT THE UNITED STATES MUST OF NECESSITY PLAY
IN TODAY'S WORLD. No AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION, WHETHER
REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC, COULD HAVE CLOSED ITS EYES OR
REACTED IN A PERFUNCTORY MANNER TO SUCH A SERIES OF
DEPLORABLE SOVIET ACTIONS.
NONETHELESS) AND THIS IS MY THIRD POINT, WE MUST AT
THE PRESENT TIME BEGIN BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR A NEW
STAGE OF EAST-WEST RELATIONS. PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO DO
THIS IS TO SEEK IMMEDIATE PROGRESS ON LIMITED, SPECIFIC
ISSUES AND NOT BECOME DISHEARTENED BY THE FORMIDABLE
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN SEEKING LARGE AND COMPREHENSIVE
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AGREEMENTS. As IN THE CASE OF BERLIN, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT
THE ENTIRE AGENDA OF OUTSTANDING ISSUES AND DECIDE WHICH OF
THEM--NO MATTER HOW MINOR--MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO EARLY
AGREEMENT. PROGRESS ON A RANGE OF SUCH SPECIFIC ISSUES CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE NECESSARY
FOR MORE AMBITIOUS EFFORTS. TO BE SURER IT IS EMINENTLY
DESIRABLE THAT CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE PROCEED SIMULTANEOUSLY
IN ALL AREAS OF EAST-WEST RELATIONS] AND YET, IT MAY BE THAT
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON THE CRUCIAL ARMS AND SECURITY ISSUES
CAN TAKE PLACE ONLY AS PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTITUDES IMPROVE--
ESPECIALLY AMONG THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE EAST. AND
WHILE WE IN THE WEST WOULD LIKE TO SEE EAST-WEST PROBLEMS
RESOLVED QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY$ HISTORY WARNS THAT SWEEPING
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS THAT LACK UNDERPINNINGS OF PRECISE
DEFINITION AND MUTUAL TRUST CAN IN THE LONG RUN DO MORE HARM
THAN GOOD.
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MY FOURTH POINT IS THAT THERE ARE TODAY AT LEAST TWO
AREAS IN WHICH WE CAN SOON TAKE SUCH MODEST STEPS--THE AREA
OF PERSONAL EXCHANGES AND OF COOPERATION IN OTHER
NON-POLITICAL MATTERS. MY VISITS TO THE SOVIET UNION AND MY
DEALINGS WITH SOVIET CITIZENS HAVE CONVINCED ME THAT
MAINTAINING DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND LEARNING AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER ARE ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. I RECALL) GOING BACK TO THE 1960'S,
A DIATRIBE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES BY A MOSCOW OFFICIAL TO
WHICH I MADE NO REPLY BEYOND FROWNING] BUT WHEN HE LOUDLY
BOASTED THAT THE SOVIETS WERE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN AMERICANS
IN CONTROLLING SMOKE FROM ELECTRIC POWER STATIONS, I
PROMPTLY REMARKED: "THANK YOU FOR POINTING THIS OUT,
BECAUSE WE MUST INDEED LEARN FROM YOU." THAT SIMPLE HUMAN
SENTIMENT PROVED SUFFICIENT TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE
THOROUGHLY CIVILIZED CONVERSATION BETWEEN US THAT FOLLOWED.
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I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS TO THE ADVANTAGE OF BOTH
EAST AND WEST TO STRENGTHEN STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS)
IMPROVE COOPERATION IN SCIENTIFIC CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL
ENDEAVORS AND SEEK WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO BRING CITIZENS
TOGETHER. IT IS) AFTER ALL, THE SOVIET SIDE THAT HAS BUILT
WALLS ACROSS EUROPE, AND IT IS IN OUR INTEREST TO SHOW.THAT
WE WELCOME CONTACTS BETWEEN OUR PEOPLES.
MY FIFTH POINT RELATES PRIMARILY TO US IN THE WESTERN
COMMUNITY. NATO IS CLEARLY A STRONGER ALLIANCE NOW THAN IT
WAS TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO. I NEVERTHELESS BELIEVE THAT WE
MUST SEEK A CLOSER CONSENSUS IN THE WEST ON THE SUBJECT OF
EAST-WEST RELATIONS. IT IS TRUE; OF COURSES THAT OUR
DIFFERENCES ARE OFTEN EXAGGERATED. WE MUST HONESTLY
RECOGNIZE NEVERTHELESS1 THAT OUR VIEWPOINTS HAVE DIFFERED
AT TIMES AND TO SOME DEGREE STILL DO. GIVEN OUR DEMOCRATIC
TRADITIONS AND THE DIFFICULT TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE THAT
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SHOULD NOT BE AT ALL SURPRISING. BUT AS WE WORK AT
IMPROVING THE EAST-WEST RELATIONSHIP) IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT
WE IN THE WEST HAVE A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE WANT
TO GO IN OUR RELATIONS WITH THE EAST AND WHAT SPECIFIC
POLICIES ARE MOST LIKELY TO LEAD US THERE.
IN ADDITION TO CLARIFYING HOW WE IN THE WEST ENVISION
THE NEW ERA WHICH WE MAY BE ENTERING AND HOW WE CAN HANDLE
EAST-WEST RELATIONS MOST EFFECTIVELYy IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT
FROM AN AMERICAN VIEWPOINT THAT WE MAKE PROGRESS ON SUCH
TROUBLESOME ISSUES AS DEFENSE BURDEN-SHARING AND WAYS OF
DEALING WITH SECURITY PROBLEMS OUTSIDE OF EUROPE. WE ALSO
NEED TO PONDER WHETHER WESTERN PREOCCUPATION DURING THE PAST
YEAR OR TWO WITH REACHING AN ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT MAY NOT
HAVE LED US TO NEGLECT EFFORTS TO REACH BETTER UNDERSTANDING
WITH THE SOVIET UNION ON OTHER POLITICAL ISSUES. REDUCTION
OF NUCLEAR AND OTHER LETHAL WEAPONS IS OBVIOUSLY A MATTER OF
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VERY GREAT IMPORTANCE, BUT WE MUST NOT DELUDE OURSELVES INTO
THINKING THAT IT IS A SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF PEACE.
REACHING A BROADER CONSENSUS IN THE WEST IS NECESSARY
BECAUSE THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT NONE OF US CAN
IMPROVE THE EAST-WEST RELATIONSHIP ACTING ALONE. WE IN THE
UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO DO IT BY OURSELVES.
THE EFFORT MUST BE A JOINT ONE) SO THAT WE CAN MINIMIZE
FUTURE MISUNDERSTANDINGS WITHIN THE ALLIANCE AS WELL AS
MISPERCEPTIONS OF OUR UNITY BY THE EAST. AND ONCE WE ARRIVE
AT A FIRM CONSENSUS) WE WILL NEED TO BE MORE PATIENT AS WELL
AS MORE CONSISTENT IN THE PURSUIT OF OUR JOINTLY REACHED
POLICIES THAN WE HAVE BEEN AT TIMES IN RECENT YEARS.
MY SIXTH AND FINAL POINT IS THAT WE IN THE WESTERN
DEMOCRACIES UNLIKE THE CLOSED SOCIETIES) MUST SEE TO IT
THAT OUR PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR
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ECONOMIC) MILITARY1'AND MORAL STRENGTH IS THE BEST
GUARANTEE WE CAN HAVE OF PEACE. IN OUR TIMES. WE MUST SEE TO
IT THAT OUR PEOPLE ACCEPT THE NEED FOR FIRM AND UNIFIED
DEFENSE POLICIES AS WELL AS FOR MEASURES DIRECTED TOWARD
REDUCING EAST-WEST TENSIONS. JUST AS BERLIN COULD NOT HAVE
SURVIVED THE PAST FORTY YEARS IF IT HAD STOOD ALONE, NEITHER
COULD THE WEST HAVE SURVIVED IF IT HAD BEEN WEAK OR
DIVIDED. BY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE SOVIET UNION TO
INTIMIDATE US1 THE NATO ALLIANCE-HAS PROVIDED EUROPE WITH
THE LONGEST PERIOD OF PEACE IN OUR CENTURY. WESTERN
SOLIDARITY HAS BEEN THE KEY TO ALL OUR PAST PROGRESS IN THE
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EAST) AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL
SO REMAIN IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
SOME WELL-MEANING'INDIVIDUALS IN MY COUNTRY AS WELL
AS HERE IN WESTERN EUROPE HAVE PUT FORWARD SIMPLISTIC
PROPOSALS FOR RELIEVING EAST-WEST TENSIONS--AMONG THEM,
UNILATERAL DISARMAMENT BY THE WEST OR AN INSTANTANEOUS
FREEZE ON DEPLOYING NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS. SUCH PROPOSALS ARE
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' 1 TO THE CAUSE OF PEACE AND MUST BE DECISIVELY
REFUTED BY RESPONSIBLE; POLITICAL LEADERS IN NORTH AMERICA
AND WESTERN EUROPE. I!FEAR THAT SOME OF OUR CITIZENS
PARTICULARLY AMONG YOIJNG PEOPLE) OVERLOOK THE COMPLEXITIES
IN THE EAST-WEST.RELAT+IONSHIP. WESTERN POLICIES UNDOUBTEDLY
DESERVE PUBLIC SCRUTINJY1 BUT THEY MUST NOT BECOME THE
SUBJECT OF HASTY EXPERIMENTATION. THE REAL CHALLENGE FACING
THE WEST IS NOT THAT 0`F DECIDING WHETHER TO BE RED OR DEAD,
BUT THE FAR MORE DIFFICULT ONE OF ASSURING THAT THESE NEVER
BECOME OUR ALTERNATIVES.
I HAVE DWELT OWITHE TENSIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES AND THE SOVIET,UNION BECAUSE IT IS VITAL THAT WE DO
WHAT WE RESPONSIBLY CAIN TO IMPROVE OUR RELATIONSHIP. BUT IN
THE INTEREST'OF A BALANCED PERSPECTIVES I MUST ALSO NOTE
THAT'DESPITE AMERICA' DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE SOVIET UNION,
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CONTACTS BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES CONTINUE TO TAKE PLACE ON
MANY LEVELS. THE SEPTEMBER MEETINGS OF PRESIDENT REAGAN AND
SECRETARY SHULTZ WITH FOREIGN MINISTER GROMYKO HAVE BEEN THE
MOST VISIBLE OF THESE CONTACTS. OTHERS TAKE PLACE
ROUTINELY. I MYSELF MEET FROM TIME TO,TIME WITH THE SOVIET
AMBASSADORS IN BERLIN AND BONN TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL
INTEREST.
WITHOUT DOUBT, WE IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN
DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER LAST YEAR'S WITHDRAWAL OF SOVIET
NEGOTIATORS FROM THE CRUCIAL TALKS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN
GENEVA. BUT THE SUSPENSION OF THESE TALKS DID NOT
DISCOURAGE US FROM HOPING THAT THEY WILL SOON BE RESUMED OR
FROM PERSISTING IN EFFORTS TO FIND COMMON GROUND IN OTHER
AREAS. AND WE HAVE ACTUALLY MADE SOME PROGRESS--FOR
EXAMPLE, IN TECHNICALLY IMPROVING PROMPT COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS.
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THERE ARE OTHER HOPEFUL SIGNS. THE CONFERENCE ON
DISARMAMENT IN EUROPE IS CONTINUING TO FUNCTION IN
STOCKHOLM] THE VIENNA TALKS ON REDUCING CONVENTIONAL FORCES
ARE STILL IN PROGRESS) AND THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON
DISARMAMENT IS STILL PURSUING ITS WORK. MOST IMPORTANT OF
ALL, AS ANNOUNCED A FEW DAYS AGO, THE DIFFICULT PROCESS OF
NEGOTIATING VERIFIABLE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS WITH THE
SOVIETS WILL SOON BE RESUMED. To BE SURER ALL THESE ARE
SLOW-MOVING AND AT TIMES DISHEARTENING NEGOTIATIONS; BUT WE
MUST REMAIN PATIENT AND PERSIST IN OUR ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE
EAST-WEST RELATIONS. PRESIDENT REAGAN SET AN EXAMPLE IN HIS
ADDRESS TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEN HE
SUGGESTED PERIODIC CONSULTATIONS BY SENIOR SOVIET AND
AMERICAN EXPERTS ON REGIONAL PROBLEMS AS WELL AS THE
INSTITUTIONALIZING OF PERIODIC MINISTERIAL MEETINGS TO
DISCUSS THE ENTIRE AGENDA OF ISSUES BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION. CHAIRMAN CHERNENKO'S RECENT
COMMENTS SUGGESTED SOME SYMPATHY WITH THE PRESIDENT'S
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APPROACH, AND CONTRIBUTED TO FURTHER USEFUL DIPLOMATIC
CONVERSATIONS.
I ASSURE YOU THAT THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO
DISCUSS WITH THE SOVIET UNION ALL ARMS CONTROL TOPICS)
INCLUDING WEAPONRY IN OUTER SPACE AS WELL AS STRATEGIC AND
INTERMEDIATE-RANGE NUCLEAR SYSTEMS. MY GOVERNMENT WILL
PERSEVERE IN ITS RESOLVE TO MOVE DIALOGUE WITH THE SOVIET
UNION IN A CONSTRUCTIVE DIRECTION. THE OBSTACLES TO
PROGRESS ARE MANY; THE REASONS FOR OVERCOMING THEM ARE
THEREFORE ALL THE MORE COMPELLING.
LET ME CLOSE THESE REFLECTIONS ON EAST-WEST RELATIONS
BY REFERRING ONCE AGAIN TO YOUR WONDERFUL CITY. BERLIN IS
NOT ONLY A CITY OF BRAVE AND DETERMINED PEOPLE; IT ALSO
EMBODIES THE THINGS WE AMERICANS BELIEVE ARE WORTH
DEFENDING. I PERSONALLY CHERISH MY TIES TO BERLIN. I'COME
HERE OFTEN NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE ATTRACTIONS OFFERED BY
THIS METROPOLIS. I COME HERE TO WORK AND TO REFRESH THE
BERLIN IS A CITY TO WHICH AMERICANS EASILY RELATE.
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YOU HAVE TRADITIONALLY DRAWN ENERGETIC PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS
OF GERMANY AND GIVEN THEM A CHANCE TO PROVE THEMSELVES.
RANK AND STATUS ARE LESSIMPORTANT HERE THAN ENERGY AND
TALENT. THESE ARE VALUES THAT AMERICANS SHARE AND ADMIRE.
WE ARE THEREFORE WORKING CLOSELY WITH BERLINERSI THE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC) AND OUR BRITISH AND FRENCH ALLIES TO HELP
ENSURE THAT THE WESTERN SECTORS OF BERLIN REMAIN A
SIGNIFICANT FORCE IN THE MODERN WORLD. THERE ARE EXCITING
POSSIBILITIES HERE IN THE REALM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, URBAN PLANNING) AND SOCIAL AND
EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION. WE SEE OUR TASK AS NOT ONLY
DEFENDING THE CITY) BUT COOPERATING WITH YOU IN THESE AREAS
TO KEEP BERLIN A VIBRANT AND ATTRACTIVE WORLD CAPITAL. WE
RECENTLY JOINED BERLINE',RS IN ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE TO
PROMOTE NEW WAYS OF COOIPERATION BETWEEN US--PARTICULARLY IN
THE AREAS OF ECONOMIC INTERCHANGE! DEALING WITH URBAN
PROBLEMS) AND EXPANDING STUDENT EXCHANGES. WE REJOICE IN
BERLIN'S RECENT ECONOMIC RECOVERY; WE ARE CONFIDENT AND
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OPTIMISTIC ABOUT YOUR FUTURE] AND WE ASSURE YOU OF OUR
DETERMINATION TO PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE--AT YOUR SIDE--IN THE
CITY'S DEVELOPMENT.
IN AMERICAN EYES) PROGRESS ALWAYS REQUIRES A FIRM
BASIS. AT PRESENTS THE POSITION OF THE ALLIES IN YOUR CITY
IS INEVITABLY INTERTWINED WITH THE UNIQUE STATUS OF BERLIN
AND THE CITY'S SECURITY. WE REGARD OUR FUNCTION HERE AS
BEING) IN EFFECTS TRUSTEES OF THE GERMAN NATION. WE DO NOT
CONSIDER PRESENT DIVISIONS OF THIS CITY AS PERMANENT. UNTIL
THE DAY WHEN BOTH PARTS OF BERLIN AND GERMANY ARE REUNITED
IN FREEDOM) THE PRESENCE OF THE ALLIES IN BERLIN PROVIDES
THE IRREPLACEABLE FOUNDATION FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THIS CITY.
MAINTAINING THAT FOUNDATION INEVITABLY IMPOSES SOME
BURDENS FOR ALL CONCERNED. I WELL KNOW THAT THE TRAINING OF
TROOPS IN YOUR FORESTS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARISING FROM
OUR PRESENCE ARE NOT ALWAYS EASY TO CONTEND WITH. BUT YOU
CAN BE SURE THAT AMERICANS WILL REMAIN SENSITIVE TO YOUR
CONCERNS, AND THAT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO
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MINIMIZE THE DIFFICULTIES WE SOMETIMES CAUSE IN THE PROCESS
OF DEFENDING THE SECURITY AND FREEDOM OF THIS CITY.
ALLOW ME TO SAYS IN CONCLUSION, THAT PEACE AND
FREEDOM ARE INSEPARABLE FOR US IN THE WEST. THE HEROIC
EXAMPLE OF THE CITIZENS OF BERLIN DURING THE AIRLIFT OF
1943-49 SHOWED THAT PEACE AND FREEDOM CAN BE PRESERVED EVEN
UNDER THE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE IS GOOD
REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE FULLY PRESERVED IN OUR
WORLD TODAY AND HANDED DOWN TO THE GENERATIONS THAT FOLLOW
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