VEST GERMANY CLASHES WITH ARAB
Chancellor Exhard"aannouncementarch that West Germany would seek diplomatic relations with Iaraol irsntly waa motivatedire to deliver as sharp aas possible to Naslrtaking theupture ofwith Cairo. Tho othor elements of Bonn'sno new economic assistance to Egypt and reaffirmation of the offer to recompense Israel for the undelivered portion of th* terminatedlap at Naslr lntendod to aa-suage outrage within West Gor-many over the adverse chain of events in the Middle Eaat.
West Germans of allpersuasionB tended to view Naslr's friendly reception of Ulbrlcht and the subsequentthat an Egyptiangenoral would soon b* opened In East Berlin Ba Just cause for an outright diplomatic break with Cairo. This couraa of action, championed by ex-Cnancellor Adenauer and ex-Do-fense Minister Strauss, was evidently ravored by Exhardwhile Foreign Minister Schroeder risked thedispleasure byesponse limited to theof economic assistance. When two days of cabinetfailed toonsensus. Brbard evldontly took the reins and madearch decision, reportedly with Schroeder's concurrence.
In West Germany, tho de-clalon was greeted with general satisfaction, although tho chargo continued to echo that thahad been timid andin facing up to Naslr's challenge. In making his movo, Erhard apparently was willing to gamble that Naslr would not recognize East Germany, or if he did, would not be able tothe bulk of the Arab atatea to do likewise.
Kurt Blrrenbach, tbeWest German emissary who arrived in Israelarch, apparently has discovered tbat Tel Aviv is definitely inclined to accept Bonn's offer ofrelations. Blrrenbach may hava told the Israella, that there can be noof the suspended arms deliveries.
The Israelis will continue to press for fulfillment of tho arms commitment, but furtheron the lssuo probably will be deferred until after diplomatic relations are eatab-llebed. Israel probably isBonn to put its eabasay intep which would reinforce Israel's claim to tho city as its capital. 7hich are still an issue, racoaaanded that tha city and Its environs be under an internationaland,esult, tha US Embassy and moat otbera ara in Tel Aviv.
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Mar 65
INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY
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Europe
announcement was
/ made, fortuitously, shortly bo-/ fore Naslreries
of speeches in bis current"campaign." Initially, Hasir temporized, but oratori-cally developed the violent Arab themes on Israel and pointed to the action of the Kuwaitwhich recommendedeconomic and diplomaticwith West Germany, as an example for other Arabs. An Arab League session ln Cairoarch followed this lead, but evidently not withoutargument, particularly from oil-producing statesesolution that they cease "cooperating" with Western powers if aid to Israel continues.
As of the end of this week, the over-all official Arabls that all Arab ambassadors have been recalled from Bonn, that recognition of East Germany may follow Bonn's recognition of Israel, that various otherare under consideration, and that some may be announced after the Arab League foreign ministers' conference, which is to convene in Cairo onarch. In addition. King Hassan ofhas canceled an official visit he was to make to West Germany, although tbe Moroccan foreign minister has indicated that bis government wants to reschedule tho tour once the present furor has died down. (COTTM-tfaUiTJAL)
AUSTRIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION MAY STRAIN COALITION
campaign for electionuccessor to President Schaerf onay may bo marked by an upsurge of political hard feeling. Although Austria's two major politicalSocialists and the CatholicParty of Chancellor Klaus--are partners ln the coalition government that has ruled Austria for twenty years, animositytbem has increased since the end of tbe Allied occupation in
The People's Partyarch nominated former Chancellor Alfons Gorbach as Its candidate.year-old Gorbach is well known throughout Austria and has support in the provinces although he appears weak ln Vienna.
The Socialist Party seems inclined to nominate Vienna Mayor Franz Jonas. as boon an active Socialist leader for sore thanears and was talco arrested as aof his party's underground when lt was outlawed during.
The Socialists have held the presidency and the People's Party has dominatednd theParty ls again favored to capture the presidency. The partisan campaigning whichthe last presidential election3 was heated and put considerable strain on the coalition. <COS>*UUNVIAL)
Mar 65
INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY
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Original document.
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