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DOCUMENTS ON GERMANY, 1944-59
10. But the Western Powers could not contemplate that the exist-
ence of NATO itself should constitute the subject of negotiations.
11. The reunification of Germany accompanied by the conclusion
of European security arrangements would facilitate the achievement
of a comprehensive disarmament agreement. Conversely, if a be-
ginning could be made toward effective measures of partial disarm-
ament, this would contribute to the settlement of outstanding major
political problems such as the reunification of Germany. Initial steps
in the field of disarmament should lead to a comprehensive disarma-
ment agreement which presupposes a prior solution of the problem
of German reunification. The Western Powers do not intend to en-
ter into any agreement on disarmament which would prejudice the re-
unification of Germany.
12. Any measures of disarmament applicable to Europe must have
the consent of the European nations concerned and take into account
the link between European security and German reunification. The
Four Governments continue to hope that the Soviet Government will
come to recognize that it is not in its own interest to maintain the pres-
ent division of Germany. The Western Powers are ready to discuss
all these questions with the Soviet Union at any time that there is a
reasonable prospect of making progress. At such time there will be
many points relating to the procedure for German reunification and
the terms of a treaty of assurance which will be worked out by de-
tailed negotiation.
In advance of serious negotiations the Western Powers cannot final-
ly determine their attitude on all points. Nor can they contemplate
in advance the making of concessions to which there is no present like-
lihood of response from the Soviet side. If negotiations are to be
fruitful, both sides must approach them in a spirit of accommodation
and flexibility. Through this declaration the Western Powers, in full
accord with the Federal Republic, wish again to manifest their sin-
cere desire to enter into negotiations with the Soviet Union in order to
reach a European settlement and to give evidence that the paramount
objective of their policy is the attainment of a just and lasting peace.
Address by the Polish Foreign Minister (Rapacki), on
Disarmament, October 2, 1957 I
119. It is the hope of the people of Poland, above all else, that the
atmosphere of the current session of the General Assembly, the course
of the debate, and the results achieved, will help to bring about a fur-
ther relaxation in the cold war and promote constructive co-operation
among nations, irrespective of their social and political systems. We
are deeply convinced that in that objective, the vital interests of the
Polish people are identical with the interest of all the other Members
of the United Nations; and I can assure the President and all the dele-
gations present in this hall that in that spirit the Polish delegation
will do its best to make a positive contribution to the deliberations of
the twelfth session, and more particularly, to the study of the prob-
lems which most directly affect us and with which we are most familiar.
'Translated from the French. UN doc. A/PV.6i97. October 2, 1957. The address
was
given at the 697th plenary meeting of the General Assembly.
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