Official sources here said today that Chancellor Ludwig Erhard and Premier Levi Eshkol of Israel will hold their long-rumored meeting before next summer in a third country. The meeting, which will be probably held in Paris, in January, will be the first between the two leaders.
Among the issues the two statesmen are expected to discuss will be establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the work of West German scientists on advanced weapons systems in Egypt, and the expiration next May 8 of the statute of limitations on prosecution of Nazi war criminals.
The sources indicated that West German officials are still hesitant about full diplomatic relations with Israel, for fear of Arab retaliation by recognition of East Germany, and that the Bonn Government was considering only an exchange of consulates. The reasoning was reported to be that, since Egypt has granted consular status to an East German delegation in Cairo, West Germany can extend the same concession to Israel without complicating its Arab ties. Israel has maintained an official mission in Cologne for 10 years.
However, it was also reported that Israel would not accept “second class” diplomatic relations, although its officials have not as yet taken that position with Bonn officials.
The work of West German scientists for the Nasser regime is a thorny problem, the Government’s position being that it regrets the activities of the scientists but has no legal power to recall them. Premier Eshkol rebuked the Erhard Government in a statement in the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, for its inaction on the issue.
Dr, Erhard said in Parliament today that his government was “trying to do everything” to end the work of West German scientists on advanced weapons systems in Egypt. “I understand Israel’s excitement and bitter feelings and I regret that German scientists are working in Egypt,” he added. He said also that relations between Israel and West Germany were burdened by Germany’s Nazi past.
Informed observers indicated that the question of the statute of limitations may be the easiest of the issues to resolve. Government officials have predicted that the statute will be extended either by a new law or by administrative action.
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