Task Force to Moscow

When Konrad Adenauer steps out of his Constellation at Vnukovo Airport this week, he will be the first German Chancellor ever to visit Moscow. More conscious of the historic nature of the occasion than the Russians (who issued the invitation in June), the Germans a fortnight ago sent an advance guard to Moscow to arrange accommodation for a delegation of almost 150 people, and a villa with private garden for Adenauer.

A twelve-coach train, to be fitted with wide-gauge wheels at the Russian border, will bring Mercedes automobiles, a complete communications unit, and a host of cooks, chauffeurs, interpreters, archivists and secretaries. Adenauer's personal entourage, Foreign Minister Heinrich von Brentano, and almost the entire panel of Germany's top foreign policy experts are scheduled to arrive in two Super Constellations captained by American pilots.

Smaller than the impression he plans to make are Adenauer's hopes for an agreement with the Russians. The Russians, who talked of the "reality" of the two Germanys at Geneva, would like to prepare the way for the establishment of diplomatic relations with West Germany. Adenauer, as the Russians are well aware, is under pressure of public opinion in Germany to launch forthwith into a demand for the reunification of Germany and the return of some 200,000 German prisoners, soldiers and civilians, held in Russia. What Adenauer fears most is that the Russians will offer to settle either or both requests--in return for Germany's withdrawal from NATO.

In talks with German political and business leaders in the past week, Adenauer got their solid support for not wanting reunion with East Germany at this time and at that price. The trick was how to say it aloud. Before departing, Adenauer said it was up to the victor powers to restore German unity and that therefore no decision could be reached in the Moscow talks, which should be "regarded in context" with the Geneva summit parley and the coming October conference of foreign ministers.

He added that the struggle between Communism and the West "will continue for decades until we have finally achieved victory," i.e., the 79-year-old Chancellor did not expect a solution in his lifetime.

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