West Germany is closely following East German efforts to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
The government here would be most unhappy if Israel “rushed” to accept the East German initiative, according to diplomats who discussed the matter with reporters here, on condition of anonymity.
The commentary on East German relations with Israel coincides with a meeting between Israeli and East German representatives, which began in Copenhagen under a veil of secrecy Monday.
At the end of the first day, the Germans said the talks might lead to diplomatic relations.
The two sides are believed to be discussing that subject, along with war reparations and various areas of mutual cooperation.
But observers here and Israeli officials in Jerusalem consider it unlikely that relations will be established before a new East German government is sworn in.
The nation’s first democratic elections, originally set for May 6, are now scheduled March 18.
Israeli correspondents in Copenhagen reported that the East Germans expressed a desire to open a new chapter in relations with Israel.
The talks reportedly included a lengthy discussion of the Holocaust and East Germany’s hostile attitude toward Israel since it was established, the Israeli journalists said.
HOPES TO UPGRADE WORLD STANDING
The Israeli delegation is headed by Michael Shilo, an adviser to Foreign Minister Moshe Arens, and includes Shmuel Meiron, deputy director of the ministry’s Eastern Europe department, and Michael Arbel, of the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen.
The East German delegation is headed by Reiner Neumann, chief of the Middle East department at the Foreign Ministry in East Berlin.
Feelings in West Germany, meanwhile, may stem from rising sentiment in favor of German reunification.
According to the diplomats, East Germany is interested in forging ties with Israel in order to upgrade its international standing as a separate state and broaden the base of its legitimacy.
This is happening at a time when the very existence of East Germany is being called into question by its own population, which desires unification with the West, the diplomats explained.
Bonn’s view was reflected in newspaper commentary Tuesday. The conservative daily Die Welt chided certain Jewish leaders and activists who negotiated two years ago with the since-deposed East German leader, Erich Honecker, on the subject of restitution for Nazi persecutees.
Those people, at best, displayed naivete when they gave the impression the issue would be settled soon, Die Welt said.
It noted that Bonn, on the other hand, established diplomatic ties with Jerusalem 25 years ago and has proven in many ways its sincere desire to make amends for the crimes the Nazis committed against the Jewish people.
West Germany, therefore, has won the right to be heard when East Germany and Israel negotiate the establishment of diplomatic relations, Die Welt said.
Israeli officials believe, nevertheless, that East Germany will meet demands by Israel that it recognize its share of responsibility for the Holocaust and offer reparations to surviving victims, as West Germany has done.
(JTA correspondent Gil Sedan in Jerusalem contributed to this report.)
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