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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 8, 1983
PAGE 7
the apparent snub hardly seemed to disappoint the beefy leader of
the Bavarian Christian Social Union.
Strauss had lobbied to
become foreign minister as a payoff for delivering crucial votes
in Kohl's election victory a month ago. In a series of well
publicized leaks and splashy interviews, Strauss boasted that he
had actually received an even sweeter reward. The chancellor, he
claimed, had granted him a major behind-the-scenes role in the
coalition, including � virtual right of � 2.YJU. any foreign
policy decisions.
The arrangement is certain to mean a sharp swing !Q the right in
� Germany's foreign policy.
Strauss recently laid out his
views in a 27-page paper submitted to Kohl. ••• Strauss called
specifically for a tougher line against the East bloc, and advo
cated closer ties with Peking as a means of nettling the Kremlin.
He also favored a firmer anticommunist line in Latin America and
Africa.
- -
--
There were indications last week that his influence was already
being felt. Strauss aides claimed that Bonn would soon drop its
longstanding support for leftist [i.e. SWAPOJ guerrillas fighting
in Namibia and normalize relations with the South African-backed
government by reopening � consulate in the capital city of
Windhoek. More such initiatives are likely to follow. In the
meantime, Strauss was clearly savoring his new role. Returning
to his home base in Munich, he was gleefully telling friends,.
".!
don't� which chancellor serves under me."
Strauss is alleged to have made that last statement several times in the
past. Shortly before Chancellor Kohl decided on who was to be in and out of
his cabinet, the March 18 TIMES of London editorialized about Herr
Strauss's influence, whether exerted in Bonn or in Munich:
Above all the world can expect a shift to the right in the tone,
at least, of West German_ foreign policy. Herr Strauss has a
passionate interest in foreign affairs.... Changes are in the
air, for instance a lessening of sympathy for SWAPO in Namibia
where West Germany is a member of the five-country contact group
trying to bring about independence.
This would reflect Herr
Strauss's view of Africa in terms of atlEast-West struggle and
South Africa as a bulwark against Soviet influence on the
continent.
-- �-
There are already indications of a tougher stance towards East
Germany and Herr Strauss will doubtless push for a harsher tone
towards all the communist world, although he is too much of a
realist to seek to undo the achievements of a decade of
Ostpolitik.
Such developments would doubtless be welcome in
Washington and improve relations with the Reagan Administration.
Herr Strauss has to decide whether to accept Herr Kohl's offer of
a post in Bonn or remain Prime Minister of Bavaria. His out
standing talents would be an asset to the government, his inde
pendent mind and explosive temperament would create problems,
although it is debatable whether he would make life more
difficult for the Chancellor from inside the Cabinet .Q!.