 of the United States and to Mr. Reagan. It means that General Secretary Gorbachev and subsequent events, there is as I would explain ample reason for optimism. Whatever progress is made, it will be based on the solid foundation Germans and Americans have built together, particularly in the last half decade. This was to zero, globally, thus called the zero watch. Building on the diplomacy of interceding years, as well as the deployment of our crews in Persians, General Secretary Gorbachev achieved in Reykjavik. And it should not escape anyone's attention that the Soviet Union and the United States are now seriously talking about reducing offensive weapons, permitting the building of more missiles and more warheads. And the next agreement has finally reached for the Soviet Union. And I say when, not if, it's what called and the other leaders of the western democracies. Under intense pressure, they did what was necessary, held firm and because of their fortitude, the free world is now, and the flow of history is now on the side of the free. We in the west are now engaged in a great technological revolution in medicine, electronic states, our allies and yes, even our adversaries, if need be. A purely defensive system that makes these missiles ineffective also makes them more negotiable. A defensive system makes an arms reduction agreement more likely because it offers protection against cheating, dances of its own. Technology can open up new doors to peace and security. That's what our strategic defense initiative is all about. The time has come to re-channel the pleasure to welcome Chancellor Helmut Kohl, a partner, a colleague and a friend. Excellency, meine sehr verehrten Damen und Herren. Mr. President, Mrs. Reagan, ladies and gentlemen. President ich danke Ihnen, auch im Namen meiner Frau, indem ich begleitende Delegation sehr, sehr herzlich für diesen freundlichen und so warm herzlichen Empfang bei Ihnen in Washington. Ich freue mich, dass ich wieder hier sein kann und ich denke, dieser wunderbare Herzlichen unseres Völker. Let me thank you in my own name and on behalf of my wife and my delegation for the friendly and warm welcome you have extended to us. I am delighted to be in Washington again and I feel that this wonderful and a particular pleasure, Mr. President, to see you again, a good friend of our country and an esteemed personal friend. Es ist das siebende Mal, dass wir uns treffen seitlich das Abend des Bundeskanzlers and governments. And in addition we have often been in contact, consulting each other by letter or telephone and I would like to take this opportunity here to express my appreciation and my great gratitude for this trustful cooperation. I thank you for this. Thank you very much for your time. We in the Bundeskanzler, the President of the United States of America have rediscovered some concepts and regained the spirit of the President of the United States. As in the past, these are the products that will enable the American nation to master In order to properly compare them, all the citizens will be Lord Clinton and Martin, the United States of America, and America. This is California. It's not like a meeting. At no August. When our Congress goes home in recess, we will be there. When the parliament is here. We go to the force every day. What? President, on what basis are you going to get a chance for a call for the optimism that we talked about outside and the possibilities of reaching? This way please. This way please. Thank you. This is it. This is it. Please see you all. I think our close personal relationship has helped enhance the thing. U.S. and my federal republics bilateral relations. I assume that perhaps maybe like your few words about Reykjavik. We don't think the East-West relations are going to change overnight. But we think it did lay the foundation for us in the process of basic change. This really is the first time that Soviets have ever proposed reducing the number of their weapons. And they chose not to go forward with the potential far-reaching agreements. We made good progress in all fours of the agenda, especially arms control. And I think I should point out there we talked about a number of things including human rights and so forth. And I took the opportunity to answer to address the question of repatriating Germans wanting to return to the wrong country. Of course, we don't get an immediate answer, but he did listen and the note-taker was taking notes. But the case is earnestly as I put it. We are picking up where we left off, instructions have gone to our Geneva delegation to Moscow Embassy.