Offset and Budget Support Sample Clauses

Offset and Budget Support. The Germans recognize the need for offsetting the balance of payment outflows produced by the stationing of our forces in Germany, but they have begun to say that it will be much harder for them to 5 Attached at Tab A but not printed is an April 3 memorandum from Rogers to the President providing “perspectives” on the Brandt visit and including an enclosed set of talking points. Another copy is in the National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 GER W. Rogers suggested that “our principal objective for the visit will be to leave no doubt in Brandt’s mind that an intimate, forthright relationship between our two gov- ernments has equal importance for the United States.” Among the specific objectives, Rogers recommended that the administration “demonstrate that we are working as closely and as successfully with the SPD-led government, as we did with its CDU pred- ecessors” and “reaffirm American support for the FRG’s efforts to strengthen and en- large the European community in the West and to reduce tension through patient ne- gotiations in the East.” purchase US arms in the seventies because their need for such arms is declining. They are more concerned about intimations, including by Senator Percy, that we will ask for budgetary support. Brandt has in- dicated some willingness to consider this but the idea is highly con- troversial in Germany. You may wish to make the point that —you have no intention to pressure Brandt for decisions now; —that both of us should look at the financial problems without publicity and fanfare over the next several months; —that in the fall we should perhaps begin considering the issues; —but that in any case financial arrangements should be related to the Review of Strategy and Forces to be undertaken within NATO later this year.