Word: brandts
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...world is much more complex than it was when Europe's aristocratic diplomats invented "the game of nations" 200 years ago. The five "powers" are by no means equally balanced, equally willing or able to play the game. Example: the dueling between West Germany's Willy Brandt and France's Georges Pompidou over the leadership of the Common Market (see story, page...
...need boldness, more boldness and always boldness." So said West German Chancellor Willy Brandt in Bonn last week as he toasted his distinguished French guest. By invoking the words of French Revolutionary Leader Georges Jacques Danton, Brandt hoped to nudge Georges Pompidou toward a breakthrough in the stalemated process of creating a larger and more unified European Economic Community. The French President was hesitant. "I am tempted to remain faithful to my fellow countryman, even though he came to a bad end," he replied, alluding to the fact that Danton was guillotined by rival revolutionaries during the Reign of Terror...
Pompidou remained adamant that Paris would permit the summit to take place only if it concentrated on questions of monetary and economic union. "We must first be united on the monetary issue," he told Brandt. After the Common Market has created a common currency zone, Pompidou implied, he might then be willing to consider the prospect of granting larger powers to the European Parliament and taking steps toward increased political cohesion within the ten. Thus even if the summit does take place on schedule, its agenda will exclude the wider economic and political issues that Brandt and the other leaders...
Actually, there was a good reason why Pompidou would not budge from his position on the summit, and why Brandt could not change the French President's mind. Both men were forced to caution and inaction by political problems at home. Even as he talked with Brandt, Pompidou had made up his mind to sack Premier Jacques Chaban-Delmas, replacing him with Old Gaullist Pierre Messmer. Brandt, in turn, had in his pocket an angry five-page letter of resignation from the man who until recently had been the star of his Cabinet, Karl Schiller, the super-Minister...
Even so, the Soviets have made a historic decision in favor of better relations with the West-and Bonn in particular. Eastern European leaders have little choice but to respond favorably to Brandt's overtures.Now, in anticipation of the increasing danger of cultural and political inroads, the East bloc regimes are trying to tighten internal discipline and stamp out the last remnants of a preCommunist society. Two examples...