WEST GERMANY- An Interview with Willy Brandt

not possible. Will they be able to unite and evolve a set of tactics that are flexible enough to be operative in the IN an exclusive interview to this reporter, former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt expressed the hope that Indo-German bilateral relations will be further developed, not only in the economic and foreign political areas but also as far as the substance of consultations on international policy and world economy are concerned. Chairman of the dominant partner of the ruling coalition, SPD, and president of the Socialist International, Brandt said: "The SPD and I myself, and many of our European friends, have followed with sympathy the start of the new administration headed by Morarji Desai." He, however, added: "Our friends in the opposition should not feel themselves excluded from our goodwill and desire to have as many friendly contacts as possible.'' Asked for his reaction to news reports that the SPD chairman had personally intervened with the government of Indira Gandhi, particularly on behalf of George Femandes, Brandt said; "We are not in a mood to interfere in the problems of India .. Of course, we were glad to welcome George Fernandes several weeks ago at a party leaders' conference in Amsterdam. He was able to come not only as a free man, but also as a minister in the new Indian government." Brandt's careful choice of words in commenting on recent developments in India, the 19-months of Emergency, and the unseating of the Congress party both at the Centre and in a large number of states, is better understood in the context of the West German attitude to India. All the major political parties in West Germany