Many of the details still have to be worked out, but the reunification of Germany is no longer in much doubt. Rather, it seems to be only a matter of time until the separate nations of West Germany and East Germany will cease to exist. In their place will be just "Germany."
Reunification grabbed center stage as soon as the Berlin Wall came tumbling down last November and the communist system in East Germany collapsed. Until those stunning events, the dream of a unified Germany was just that - a dream. Few believed that it would ever be a reality in their lifetimes.Now, the ultimate stamp of approval has been given by the four allied powers - Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the United States - that defeated Nazi Germany and have officially ruled the divided country ever since. In a terse statement this week, the four agreed to meet at some future date to work out the terms of reunification.
There are, of course, obstacles to be overcome. The fears of the Soviets and surrounding nations, and of East German leaders, have to be satisfied. In the meantime, the two Germanys are busy working out their individual differences. Much will depend on who leads East Germany after scheduled March 18 elections
A single Germany would be less a merger than a takeover. West Germany has 61 million people, is strong, vibrant and productive. East Germany has only 16 million people and is an economic basket case. Joining the two would actually mean the absorption of largely rural East by industrial West Germany.
The Kremlin wants a neutral state, mostly disarmed and with no foreign troops from either side on German soil. Washington insists that Germany remain in NATO, although conceding that no Western troops would be stationed in East Germany.
That Cold War stance may have to be modified, even though the West would be giving up more than the Soviets.
The Soviets have 380,000 soldiers in East Germany while the United States and other allies have 300,000 in West Germany. East Germany has about 200,000 troops of its own, but they are of doubtful value in the Warsaw Pact. West Germany has 400,000 of its own troops and they are considered a formidable fighting force. In addition, West Germany is the heart of the NATO defense system.
Giving up all of that for a neutral Germany would leave NATO in a vastly weakened condition. But the time may be coming when the old assumptions that justify NATO need to be re-examined. A neutral Germany on the same model as neighboring neutral Austria has a certain appeal.
The United States will have to proceed slowly and carefully on the NATO question. It may take several years to verify that the Soviets are gone for good. But reunification of Germany has developed momentum outside of anything the two superpowers may decide.