Shifting Perceptions of Friends

(4 of 4)

A. Yes, but this is not new. Every German, since 1945, has thought about the question of how, one day, the Germans could live under one roof in one house. But you must not delude yourselves. We are hoping for evolution in the Communist part of Central Europe in order to have at least the same openness between East Germany and West Germany as we enjoy with, say, Austria or Switzerland or, for that matter, Hungary. The first sentence of our constitution, which was adopted in 1949 under the stewardship of the victors of World War II, speaks of the task of re-establishing German unity. I have sworn my oath of office on that constitution.

Q. In view o the internal conflicts within the S.KD. some people are raising the question of whether your government can survive until the end of its present term.

A. Since the outbreak of the present world economic depression, after the first oil price explosion at the end of 1973, your government has changed three times. There is no NATO country that has not changed its government at least twice. Except my country. We have the same type of government now for the 13th year It's only natural that West Germans also are dissatisfied with the economic situation. But I think we will manage to be in a much better position economically at the end of this year than we are right now. I do have the intention of staying on until 1984. I'm even threatening the Christian Democratic opposition with the prospect of running again.