EAST-WEST RELATIONS
hrushohev Talks
The first series of talks between De Gaulle and Khrushchev were devotedepetition of basic positions on the German question and farinas aspects of dlsarmi
May summit. In speeches onndarch, he used the now-standard and vague formulation, threatening to take unilateral action "if all ourare exhausted and ournot understood."
De Gaulle opened the talks by disagreeing with Khrushchev's .fears of West Germany and stressed that it was of "prime importance" that Bonn remain with the West ln order to maintain tho necessary "equilibrium" in Europe, to the threateparate peace treaty, De Gaulle stated that Prance would not recognize East Germany and asked what the USSR could, hone to ecu in bv such move.
birushchev tried to leave ression, as he did with Italian President Gronchl in raid-February, that if the USSR does not obtain sorao satisfaction on the German question at themeeting,it will sign apeace treaty with East Germany. In his publicln France, however,has avoided specifically linking the timing eparate treaty to the outcome of the
In discussions onDe Gaulle reiterated his refusal to be bound by anytest banisarmament plan providing for destruction of nuclear weapons. Khrushchev attempted to appear responsive to French views by endorsing the priority of controls on nuclear delivery systems, ty0aS9
ave
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his speeches ln Paris, Khrushchev continued theof emphasizing the German menace and the "natural" French-Soviet alliance in containing it. Reflecting the impasse on the German question ln their private talks, both De Gaulle and Khrushchev havo engaged in some oblique public exchanges.inner for Khrushchev onarch, the French President referred to the "unbounded" German ambition in two world wars "which has since then Khrushchev seemed to reply the following day when he stated that ho could not conceal his apprehension at the "tolerance and evenof German militarism" or accept "attempts to prove that this militarism isdifferent from what it used to be."
Khrushchev, however, wasresponsive to Do Gaulle's remarks that the major issues should be taken up "one by one withddressing the Diplomatic Press Association onarch,repeated his previous statements that all Issues cannot be solved in one or two summit meetings. He added that the main aim of the May meeting would bo tocommon language."
In an effort to appearto De Gaulle's views, Khrushchev also renewed his carefully wordedof Derogramolution to the Algerian question. avoided rejectingaid to underdeveloped countries by tying this question to an agreement on disarmament, and ho parried questions on an
arms embargo in the Middle East by repeating that the USSR would be willing to reachthat "no country should sell Its arms to any other country."
French Roaction
French roaction to the visit has varied from large turnouts ln Paris and Marseilles, where French Communist party efforts were evident, to cool receptions in Bordeaux and Rheims. In Paris, Khrushchev drew good but not tremendous crowds, but the receptions elsewhere have beenonly where French Communists have been able to organize the welcome. In Bordeaux the streets were nearly empty and the indifference of thewas noticeable, buttop ln Trabes the reaction was apparently enthusiastic.
The non-Communist Paris press described the visit toas Khrushchev's "first triumph in France." Communist cheering sections were mostln Lille. At Rheims crowds were sparse. rench Foreign Ministry official feels that there has been "considerable genuine interest" in the provinces not inspired by the Communists.
Press reaction has ranged from reserve and detachment to open hostility, although most of the press accepts the talks asseful prelude to the summit. Editorialhas been increasingly critical of Khrushchev's stress on the German menace andto advocacy of the needrench-Soviet alliance.ossible reflection of this reaction, Khrushchevhis tour of the southern
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provinces has concentrated on extolling Soviet economic and technical accomplishments, with only brief references to Germany. In Verdun, forhe passed up anto recall French-Russian cooperation against Germany, but returned to the German theme again In-Rheims.
Eastern Europe,oviet official at the disarmament talks ln Geneva recentlyto this possibility.
Other Pre-Summit Planning
Khrushchev may go to East Berlin to review the resultsf his talks with De Gaulle and strategy for the summit. He may vakia:
Khrushchev has been ln the satellites since his last visit to Czechoslovakia Innd there has been some friction in Czechoslovak-Soviet relations that may need soothing.
The main purpose of the coming session of the Supreme Soviet, announceday, will probably be toorumemonstration of support for Khrushchev on the eve of the summit meeting. In addition to reaffirming basic positions on the issues to be taken up at the summit, Moscow may use the occasioneacefuluch, as an announcementeduction ln Soviet troops in Eastern Europe. Khrushcht told'
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