Basic HTML Version
-8-
"Is Moscow flirting with the idea of allowing more normal
relations between the two Germanys in exchange for a loosening of
Bonn's ties with the Western alliance? In short, are the Soviets
about to play their German card? The standard diplomatic answer,
from Bonn to Washington, is that both the Russians and West Germans
are locked into positions held for 30 years -- the Russians fear a
reunited Germany and the West Germans depend for protection on the
U.S. nuclear shield.
"Yet shifting alliances ar8 the order of the day. The current
tacit entente of the U.S., Japan, and China against the Soviet Union
would have been unthinkable even three years ago. So it is not
unthinkable that the cornerstone of post-World War II Europe, the
division of Germany into two states, one allied with the U.S., the
other with the Soviet Union, could be eroding -- and faster than
generally recognized...."
The London Times editorialized in its October 31, 1978 edition:
"!.1:.
is possible that one day there will be � Soviet leadership
which comes to regard eastern Europe�
more
of a liability than an
asset (which objectively it already is) but the prospect is stillt:oo
distant to have any influence on contemporary policy. Therefore any
Soviet hints in this direction must be purely tactical.
"The new situation is, however, interesting as a reminder of
how little can be taken for granted as permanent, how easily questioned
are some of the basic assumptions on which the present arrangements
in Europe rest."
It is with the future impact upon Germany and Eruope that we
must view other events such as: 1) The Chiense incursion into
Vietnam. This only confirms, in Soviet eyes, China's "imperialism"
as basic untrustworthiness, and 2) the SALT talks between the U.S.
and the Soviet Union. The Europeans as a whole are fearful that a
SALT agreement, as it now stands, would leave the monstrous SS-20
missiles still positioned against West Euorpean cities.
In the future we will likely see a flurry of proposals and
counter-proposals for the reunification of Germany (and perhaps
a freeing of some other east bloc states) in return for the neutral
ization of the new Europe, and its jettisoning of NATO; and in
conjunction with this, the signing of a grand East-West non-aggression
pact.
What part will a Polish Pope play in all this? What happens
to the biggest "loser" of all -- the U.S.? Interesting questions.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau