The President Entertains the Chancellor

WILLY BRANDT'S two-day visit with President Nixon last week almost began on the wrong foot. A soldier narrowly escaped injury when the door of the presidential helicopter was lowered on him as he smoothed the red carpet for the West German Chancellor's arrival. The talks, one of a series with allied leaders before Nixon's trips to Peking and Moscow, produced the now-familiar pomp and reassuring communiques, but were in fact of special significance. In pursuit of his Ostpolitik, Brandt has become the Western leader most familiar with the opportunities and trials of negotiating with the Communist worlds. His insights into Soviet Party Boss Leonid Brezhnev, although not mentioned publicly, were nonetheless part of Nixon's preparations for the Moscow summit.

Brandt sought reassurances of American commitment to current NATO troop levels in Western Europe and promises that the U.S. and the Soviet Union would not attempt bilateral reductions. Agreement was reached on both points, then underscored by the appointment of former Treasury Secretary David Kennedy, 66, as Ambassador to NATO. Kennedy has been ambassador-at-large since he stepped aside in favor of John Connally at the Treasury last February. His appointment is meant to signal U.S. allies of American resolve to work within the European alliance, regardless of the new overtures to the East.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.