Word: brezhnevs
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WITH these two old Russian sayings, a Moscow editor summed up Soviet feelings about the purpose and timing of Leonid Brezhnev's historic five-day visit this week to Bonn, the first ever by a Soviet leader to West Germany. In the Russian view, the improving relations between Moscow and Bonn can only be further improved by Brezhnev's talks with Chancellor Willy Brandt. More important, perhaps, the Soviets feel that the time is ripe to extract increased practical benefits from the growing climate of detente...
...sides see somewhat different things in the future of the relationship. The benefits that Brezhnev seeks are primarily economic. Already West Germany is the Soviet Union's biggest Western trade partner. Two-way trade last year jumped 27%, to $1.15 billion, double what it was in 1965. The Soviets, beleaguered by problems in both agriculture and industry, are most interested in acquiring technology and long-term credits. In the past twelve months, the West Germans have delivered or contracted to deliver equipment for Russia's coal, chemical, natural gas, steel, truck, electronics and toolmaking industries. Since 1970. West...
...automatically negotiate agreements on behalf of West Berlin, which Bonn insists is part of the Federal Republic and which the Soviets maintain is a separate political entity. Brandt also wants West Germany to represent West Berlin at the United Nations. On relations with East Germany, the Chancellor hopes that Brezhnev can spur some action on the agreements that were supposed to follow the treaty that was signed last December, "normalizing" relations between the two Germanys. The proposed pacts would cover such areas as youth exchanges, sports competition and civil air routes...
Brandt, in fact, will urge Brezhnev to facilitate a freer flow of people, ideas and information throughout Europe. The West German leader regards a Soviet concession on this issue, which would unquestionably influence the attitudes of other East bloc nations, as essential to the success of the European Security Conference in Helsinki. The Russians view the conference as a sort of World War II wrapup, affirming the "inviolability" of all borders that were redrawn to Soviet advantage at war's end. They have shown little interest in Brandt's broader aims, fearing that Communist ideology may be "contaminated...
...Although Brezhnev has requested that public ceremonies be kept to a minimum, the Soviet leader will receive an expansive (and expensive) welcome in Bonn. At a cost of $90.000, the West German government has reopened and refurbished the stately old Petersberg Hotel, where the Soviet leader and his retinue will be staying. Brezhnev will likely sleep in the same bed that Queen Elizabeth used in 1965. Seemingly more intent on work than recreation, Brezhnev declined West German offers of sightseeing side trips, including one to Trier, the birthplace of Karl Marx...