From the S&S archives: LBJ, Kiesinger agree on full consultations

BONN — President Johnson said Wednesday that he and Chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger had agreed that they would have "constant, complete and full consultations" before either nation takes decisions.

President Johnson spoke to a hastily set up news conference on the lawn outside Kiesinger's office at Schaumburg Palace.

There had been "no hard and fast decisions," he added, but he hoped that there would be more to announce after Kiesinger visits the United States "at an early date."

The two men spent more than two hours at Kiesinger's residence, their second talk in the course of Johnson's three-day visit to attend funeral services for former Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

The president listed in order the subjects they had discussed:

1. The projected treaty to halt the spread of nuclear weapons.
2. Trade and monetary problems.
3. Troop deployment.
4. The security of the two nations.
5. The prosperity of our peoples.

Kiesinger, who spoke to newsmen first, emphasized the agreement to consult. West German leaders have often complained that they were not consulted sufficiently before American decisions.

Kiesinger has said that the Soviet Union and the United States were in "atomic complicity" on the nuclear pact, to which the West Germans have strong objections.

"We will speak openly to one another,`" Kiesinger said Wednesday, "without doing anything of which the other is not informed."

Kiesinger spoke in German. When he finished, an American reporter asked for a translation.

"The chancellor can repeat it for you in English," said Johnson with a smile.

But Kiesinger, though he speaks English well, repeated his statement in German and an interpreter made the translation.

"I first came to Europe more than two decades ago," Johnson began. "I am astonished to observe the great progress that has been made since I first came here. The progress has been great, thanks to the leadership of the great man who was laid to rest yesterday, whose passing we all mourn.

"He would have wanted us to do what we have done: Reaffirm the friendship between the people of the Federal Republic of Germany and the people of the United States of America."

He and Kiesinger, Johnson went on, would review their problems in depth when Kiesinger visits the United States.

Kiesinger thanked Johnson for coming "with so many distinguished Americans" to the Adenauer funeral.

"The German people will not forget." he promised.

Johnson and Kiesinger first posed for photographers in front of his official bungalow. Then they walked about 100 yards to the lawn outside Kiesinger's office. There they stood with Secretary of State Dean Rusk, West German Foreign Minister Willy Brandt, U.S. Ambassador George C. McGhee and other officials and made their statements.

There was no opportunity for questions.

Kiesinger went with Johnson to the heliport from which a helicopter took the President to Wahn Airport. Brandt was at the airport to say goodbye when Johnson flew off for the United States. The President was accompanied by Rusk and aides who had arrived with him Sunday evening.