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DOCUMENTS ON GERMANY, - 1944-5 9
If the Soviet Government were to change its attitude to the ques-
tion of reunification, there would be a possibility of achieving a com-
prehensive clarification of and improvement in mutual relations. It
is the sincere wish of the Federal Government shortly to be in a
position to avail itself of that possibility.
Communique and Joint Declaration by President Eisenhower and
Chancellor Adenauer, on German Reunification and Disarma-
ment, May 28, 19571
COMMUNIQUE
The President of the United States and the Chancellor of the Fed-
eral Republic of Germany concluded today the cordial discussions
they have conducted during the last several days, with the assistance
of the Secretary of State and the German Foreign Minister, and
other advisers.
These discussions permitted a comprehensive exchange of views
concerning German-United States relations, the European situation,
and the world situation. They have served to strengthen still further
the close understanding and harmony of views already existing be-
tween the two governments.
As a result of their talks, the President and the Chancellor have
issued a Joint IDeclaration regarding matters of mutual interest.
JOINT DECLARATION
I.
The President and the Chancellor agreed that the basic aim of
the policies of their two countries is the maintenance of peace in
freedom. To that end it is the common policy of their governments
to work for the achievement of conditions in which all nations can
live in peace and freedom and devote their energies and resources to
promoting the welfare of their peoples.
They agreed that the realization of these conditions depends upon
the removal of the causes of tension existing between the Soviet
Union and the Free World. This tension is mainly attributable to
the acts and policies of the Soviet Union, among them the deprivation
of other peoples of their freedom.
The President and the Chancellor noted with great concern the
consequences of the brutal Soviet intervention in Hungary. The con-
tinued suppression of the rights of the Hungarian people makes it
difficult for other nations to accept as genuine the professed Soviet
desires for peaceful coexistence.
The President and the Chancellor reaffirmed that the ending of
the unnatural and unjust division of Germany is a major objective
of the foreign policies of the two governments. Germany must be
reunited on a free and democratic b'asis by peaceful means. If the
Soviet rulers really desire peace and the relaxation of international
White House news release, May 28, 1957.