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18.
Genscher said the Germans very much welcomed the attention the British Government, and the Secretary of State personally, devoted to the smaller countries of Eastern Europe. He had recently been involved in a complicated episode in the shape of Orzechowski's visit to Bonn. He had told the Poles he would go to Warsaw, but only if he and not they were to lay down the conditions. He had added that Orzechowski was welcome to visit Bonn, which was the way things had gone. Orzechowski was new to foreign affairs, but expert in FRG/Poland relations,
From having for years been involved with Wroclaw University. the political point of view, Genscher would find it impossible to visit Poland before the next FRG General Election. He was aiming to go in the spring of 1987, and then only if conditons were acceptable. The Germans were expecting this month in Bonn the Romanian Foreign Minister, and the Bulgarian next month.
19.
(a)
(b)
On other arms control points, Genscher:
said the FRG wanted a phased plan aimed at the reduction of SS20s in Asia;
had now signed, as we knew, a MOU relating to SDI research. They did not over-estimate its potential benefits. Expectations were very limited. What was needed was to begin a debate on the strategic consequences, without casting doubt on the correctness of present NATO strategy. To cast such doubt would be to go down a very slippery road.
20. Genscher said he continued to think the key underlying factor in East/West relations at the moment was Gorbachev's fundamental interest in the modernisation of the Soviet Union. He saw that unless he made quick progress now his country would never be able to compete with the West, while the Chinese would be catching up fast.
21. In reply to these various comments, the Secretary of State spoke pretty closely to his brief, stressing in particular the importance in various contexts of making progress over verification. He underlined the importance of great care over the handling of SDI in the WEU context, but argued that it was important to go on reminding the US of the fundamental significance of our interest in maintaining deterrents. Genscher agreed.
22. On CDE, the Secretary of State said we hoped to work more closely in the future with the Germans, French and Americans in order to help bring matters to a successful conclusion. seconded Genscher's remarks about the importance of the Vienna CSCE conference: the Soviet Union should be brought regularly
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