From the S&S archives:
JFK visits Bonn and Cologne at start of 10-day tour

BONN — President Kennedy, in a personal bid to tighten unity in the Atlantic alliance, Sunday pledged American nuclear might for Western Europe's defense "as long as required or desired."

He received a roaring welcome from more than half a million West Germans on the streets of Cologne and Bonn as he arrived for a 10-day European tour that will take him to Ireland, Britain and Italy.

Mr. Kennedy, looking fresh and vigorous after a 4,000-mile flight, stepped out of his Air Force jet to be greeted by 87-year-old Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

They shook hands warmly, and moments later Kennedy launched into the fundamental purpose of his trip — to pull together an alliance threatened by disunity and disagreement.

" ... The United States is here on this continent to stay," he said. "So long as required or desired, our forces and commitments will remain. For your safety is our safety, your liberty is our liberty, .and any attack on your soil is an attack upon our own."

He thus drove home his personal pledge for American defense of Western Europe and gave notice that U.S. forces would stay as long as they were wanted or. needed.

In effect, Mr. Kennedy, was telling the Allies that America has no intention of. shirking its Continental obligations.

French President Charles de Gaulle has said that the time may come when Europe cannot depend upon America for its defense.

Mr. Kennedy did not mention de Gaulle by name in his airport address.

Adenauer got quickly down to business in his welcoming address.

"Your visit, Mr. President, is a political act." He recalled Mr. Kennedy's recent speech at the American University in Washington and reminded him that, "You said, Mr. President, that the United States would make no deals with the Soviet Union at the expense of other nations and other peoples ...

"Could there have been been any better way for you to demonstrate such determination than by visiting the Federal Republic and other countries in Western Europe, and by paying a visit to West Berlin?"

Mr. Kennedy will fly to Berlin Wednesday for a first-hand look at the beset and divided city. He arrives in the aftermath of a new Communist maneuver: An order that both the military and civilians must stay at least 110 yards behind the east side of the Berlin wall.

The American President's first day in Europe was a crowd-stopping success in personal popularity. Thousands milled for a glimpse of him, and he smiled broadly at a lengthy ovation in the Cologne Rathaus (city hall) square.

Women fainted and babies were held up to see him. Crowds smashed barriers and pushed past mounted policemen for a closer look, and Mr. Kennedy's geniality was a winner.

Greeted by Mayor Burauen

Mr. Kennedy was greeted at the city hall by Mayor Theo Burauen.

The President was escorted into the council room to sign the city's Golden Book.

Mr.. Kennedy thanked the mayor for :his reception and for, the gift of a book; published in 1820, describing a trip from Mainz to Cologne. He said:

"I come from a country of 180 million people, and millions of them are either Germans, or sons and daughters of Germans, among the most productive and responsible of our citizens."

Then the President went out to address the crowd in the city hall square.

Mr. Kennedy told the crowd:

"I bring you greetings from the citizens of America, including the citizens of Cologne, Minn., Cologne N J., and even Cologne, Tex.

"It is most appropriate that I come first to this city, so closely identified with the life and work of your great chancellor.

Name Continues

"Here he first practiced the statecraft which has served the West so well. I am told the Adenauer name continues to be active in public service."

This was an allusion to City Manager Max Adenauer, the chancellor's son, who was present at the greeting.

"In my own country," Mr. Kennedy went on, "it is sometimes said that there are too many Kennedys in public life. But I am sure that no one has made that complaint about the Adenauers in the city of Cologne."

Mr. Kennedy left voicing the traditional greeting of the Cologne carnival: "Koelle Alaaf."

In Cologne dialect, it means "Hooray for Cologne."

From Berlin Mr. Kennedy will fly to Dublin for a 2½-day sentimental visit to the land of his Irish ancestors. Then he goes on to Britain for a day at the Birch Grove, Sussex, country home of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

Arrangements for the final portion of Mr. Kennedy's trip, a three-day visit to Italy, are still being worked out. The President expects to see the new Pope, Paul VI, as well as various Italian political leaders.

He is due back in Washington July 3.