Tough debates in Bonn.
Federal Chancellor Brandt demanded negotiations with the GDR
in his report on the state of the nation.
CDU and CSU are against it.
They fear it will lead to international recognition.
The length and difficulty of this road
must not prevent us
from reaching a regulated coexistence
between the two states of Germany
in this phase of history,
if it is possible.
There must, there can,
and there will be negotiations
between Bonn and East Berlin.
Especially when you proceed from the idea of two German states
that are not foreign countries to us,
you should build this protective barrier.
Otherwise one day
you will have to face the fact that the GDR
is recognized by other states of the world.
And that they, to the GDR
make the claim, "You are not a foreign country",
"so we must negotiate special relations",
and that the GDR disdainfully closes the door in your face.
That will complete the pile of shards.
But I consider it irrational
if you assume
that politics in the Soviet bloc
and politics in the socialist camp
show a multitude of cracks.
And that you give Ulbricht the role of the lonely trumpeter
who, to Moscow's displeasure,
and to the annoyance of other members of the camp
must finally be roped in by our negotiation tactics.
The political order in the GDR
is not in line with our views as free democrats.
But regardless of the fact
that it is not in line with our views,
we believe that the relationship
between the FRG
and the GDR must be contractually regulated.
So that they do not drift further apart.