Gentleman's Disagreement

"We are going to disagree," said President Kennedy to newsmen, "but I am sure it is possible for us to disagree in the framework of not charging each other with bad faith." Kennedy was referring to his conversations with India's visiting Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, 72, and he was perfectly right. In four days of talks last week, the two leaders became downright friendly--even though they disagreed on many things.

The conversations began in the Newport, R.I., home of Jacqueline Kennedy's mother and stepfather, then moved to Washington. The Kennedy family did its beguiling best to charm Nehru. Little Caroline Kennedy presented him with a red rosebud. Jackie Kennedy took him to see her dog cemetery on the Newport grounds, where rest three deceased pets. As for the President and the Prime Minister, they found that their mutual interest in history was a bond. They parted with feelings of friendship and respect, along with a formal pledge "to keep closely in touch with each other in the months and years ahead."

Inching Along. Despite the personal warmth of their sessions, there was little thawing in the political attitudes of either, which are not so much antagonistic as totally unlike. They could easily agree on the U.N.'s importance and on support of India's efforts to improve itself economically. They acknowledged that it would be pleasant if Laos could become a truly neutral state, free of "domination by any foreign power." They hoped for a peaceful and united Congo.

But Nehru was appalled by the possibility that the U.S. might send troops to help preserve the independence of South Viet Nam (a decision Kennedy has not taken). Although Nehru was frankly horrified by Russia's resumption of nuclear testing, he clung to the argument that the U.S. should agree to a new testing moratorium, even without inspection safeguards against cheating. On only one basic issue did Nehru shift his position--and then, only by about an inch. "The President and the Prime Minister," said their joint communique, "concurred in the legitimate and necessary right of access to Berlin." But Nehru would not affirm the West's right to maintain troops in West Berlin.

Too Many Greys. Nehru staunchly defended his neutralist position. Asked at a National Press Club luncheon how he could sit on the fence in a conflict between right and wrong, he sighed wearily. "There are far too many greys in this world," he said. "A politician may aim at the right-he may even perceive the right--but he must convey that perception to others to function. A saint need not--therefore he is often stoned to death."

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