East-West Negotiations Over United Germany’s NATO Role
Although it would be to the United States’ advantage, a united Germany should not be a member of NATO. As a member it would create a destabilizing effect on the already troubled East-West relations. Currently, the Soviet Union is having many economic, political and social problems. Only recently has the Soviet Union lost much control over its former satellites and its republics, and to add to the stress could possibly cause a complete breakdown of all progress made in the last years.
A united Germany will be the strongest economic and political force in Europe. To have this force in NATO at such a crucial time would definitely have some unfavorable repercussions on the Soviet Union’s standing with the West and could also lead to the return of Cold War hostilities. At this time the only course of action is for a united Germany to remain carefully neutral and definitely out of NATO.
ARPANA GUPTA
Los Angeles
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