JFK RECEIVES WEST GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 17, 1961, President John F. Kennedy received Dr. Heinrich von Brentano*, foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Germany at the White House. In a joint statement issued following their discussions, it was stated...
"The discussion provided an occasion for a first personal exchange of views between Dr. von Brentano and the New United States Administration. The cordial and frank conversations confirmed the friendly and close relations between the Federal Republic and the United States."
The two world leaders agreed that the North Atlantic Alliance was "a necessary basis for the defense of both countries." They also stressed the importance of the goal of reunification of Germany based on the principle of self-determination and the preservation of the freedom of West Berlin.
*Dr. Heinrich von Brentano (1904-1964) was born in Offenbach, Germany & educated at Ludwig Maximillan University of Munich & University of Giessen. HVB was one of the founders of the Christian Democratic Union & served as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany 1955-1961. He died of cancer at age 60.
SOURCE
"Joint Statement Following Discussions With the Foreign Minister of Germany," February 17, 1961. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
Dr. Heinrich von Brentano
April 29, 1960
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Konrad_Adenauer_-_9._
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