The New Germany of Willy Brandt

Seated in a Baroque armchair in his elegant office in Palais Schaumburg, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt last week described his vision of a "new Germany" in an interview with Benjamin Gate, TIME's Bureau Chief in Bonn. The Chancellor spoke in fluent hut slightly stiff English, smoking cigarettes and rolling wooden matches between his fingers while he pondered his answers.

On East Germany: It doesn't make sense to regard the other part of Germany as a foreign country like Mexico or Indonesia or even Norway. Even though it has developed into a state organization, it is still a fact that the borderline between these two parts cuts through millions of families.

I would be happy if we at least came to the point where it would not be more difficult to travel from one part of Germany to the other than to travel from Western Germany to foreign countries, even foreign Communist countries. In spite of the political differences, I would like very much, not only in the humanitarian field but also in the cultural field, to develop contacts that would correspond with the fact that we have the same cultural heritage.

But I have no illusions. This is a long process. Lincoln is very close to my own feeling. Without using the word reunification too much, I am speaking about a perspective that makes it possible for the two parts of my nation to live together in one way or another. And there I like to pick up Lincoln's word that "a house divided against itself cannot stand."*

On the Common Market: We already have reached a point where it is very difficult to continue with some of the processes of economic integration if one does not reach agreement on when and how one should start discussions on enlargement.

On a new Germany: Yes, one can speak of a new Germany, but not one that is looking for a new role as a kind of world power in the old sense of the word, with all the military attributes and so on. We couldn't achieve it even if we wanted it, and I don't want to. But I think this country has the possibility of taking on some more responsibilities in international exchange.

If we speed up modernization, we can play a bigger role in trade and science and cultural exchange. By developing a model society, we can also be an interesting partner for others.

On Possible U.S. Troop Withdrawals: In the short run, I do not believe it would correspond with the common interest, including the interest of the United States, to change things in a substantial way. We agreed upon an offset arrangement for two years. It was an understanding on both sides that during this period there would be no substantial changes. We are in a discussion within the Atlantic Alliance on how we could make moves vis-`a-vis the East in order to try, if one can, to enter into serious negotiations about an equal reduction of troop levels. This would be endangered if unilateral steps were taken.

On the Soviet Union: I think there is room for more cooperation in the fields of trade and technological and scientific exchange. And then, we are at a point because of past discussions where we can now enter into negotiations on an exchange of declarations on the renunciation of force. But here again I say that this is being managed on the basis of preparatory talks with our Western allies. So it is not a question of a unilateral German move but one that is supported and backed by the Western allies.

On a Possible Visit to Russia: If I said no, it would be impolite. If I said yes, it would give the impression that I was fishing for an invitation. I think the main need now is not for spectacular visits but for discussion between officials. But the time will come when the political leaders of this country, like those of others, will meet with the leaders of the Soviet Union. But this is not a question for the very near future.

On His Plans: I have tried to outline a program of domestic reforms in the fields of education, urban affairs, social legislation and other fields. Of course, we also have to go on with a foreign policy. We belong to the West. But we have to make our contribution in trying to reduce tensions between West and East. And then we have the problem of finding a good relationship with a critical young generation. I'm not speaking about radical groups but about the majority of interested but very critical young people, and the necessity of building bridges between these new generations and those who carry political responsibilities today.

* Actually, the saying is a paraphrase of St. Mark (3:25). Lincoln placed the words in quotation marks when he wrote them into an 1858 antislavery speech.

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