European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes wednesday. May 25, 1977 e. Germans ask better . Ties Washington a East German has proposed settling a number of issues with the United slates in Hopes of improving relations with Washington the stale department said tuesday. Spokesman Hodding Carter said thelast German actions arc being studied carefully. On a systematic  three major issues involve humanitarian considerations particularly dealing with family reunification an agreement on consular locations and the settling of claims against the Kasl Berlin govern ment. Carter said most of inc Easl German proposals had been made previously but the newest ally Mph was Sci Forth As a pack age and the aspect dealing Wilh reunification of families is considered a major step in improving Rel Lions. Meetings planned Carter also indicated Hal a series of  Tini s to explore the East German proposals will be held Between officials of the two governments the spokesman declined to speculate Onuk reason or the new Easl German action. However another official said the Easl German initiative apparently was keyed to the convening of a a nation conference i Belgrade next month when a review will be held of compliance with the 1975 Helsinki agreement concerning human rights. He cautioned against speculation that the moves Are a sign of any East German intention to assert its Independence fro the soviet Union thai country s closest ally since relations Between the two coun tries were established in 1971. Officials said the i United states Lias been pressing the Kast germans hard on the question of reunification of families this is a key Prin Ciple of inc Helsinki agreement. A breakthrough came last month when the Kasl germans informed the slate of Wrt mint of i heir willingness to permit several dozen clue it to emigrate to the United slates to join relatives living Here . They expressed Hope that the flexible Hist German Altitude will apply not Only to pending cases bin ill the future As Well. We Hope their positive Altitude  one official said. He said the United Stales initially pro posed expanded bilateral cultural exchanges and the Kast germans responded recently by suggesting negotiations for a formal agreement. The Easl germans also arc seeking greater Access to . Markets for East German products and closer consultation among High ranking officials of both coun tries. Also proposed Are visits to Easl Ger Many by . Congressional delegations. Other goals outlined by East German include improved working conditions fur journalists another concept contained inthe 1 Helsinki agreement As Well As agree ments covering mail and shipping Between he two countries Fra rejects sweetener made of african fruit Washington a i ii Tow fond and drug administration turned Down a re quest monday for permission to use a swi Chenit made from die african Mira Cle fruit in Candy gum. Pudding and other food the fruit is a Berry which when chewed makes sour things eaten thereafter Tuse sued interest in the fruit had been re Vived m the Wake of the proposed saccharin ban but the Fra said it has been Unab Lelo prove in is Safe the berries have been used in Wesl Africa for hundreds of years the Agency said. Genera fax revenues for social Security Ford tears into Carter suggestion Washington a preside Tcarter s suggestion that general tax revenues might be needed for the social Security system is one of the most dangerous and Short sighted policies can  former president Gerald r. Ford said tuesday. Ford s statement in a speech to a Ca Pitol Hill luncheon was the strongest attack the former president has made on a policy of his successor. If this proposal is enacted if we abandon the policy of a self sustaining Trust fund now the next generation of older americans May not have a social Security program to count on for their retirement years Ford told the invest in America  a message to Congress Carter suggested that the feasibility of using general revenues to bolster the social Security system ought to be seriously considered. Carter recently told Congress that the social Security system was operating at a deficit and would need som kind of financial assistance. In opposing Carter s recommendation. Ford said propping up the fund with general revenues May bring som Short term gains but these will be far outweighed by Lone term pains Bot economic and social. We simply cannot go on this Way. Budgetary sleight of hand can conceal the problems Only so  Ford comments follow criticism from the Carter administration on his previous remarks critical of the administration. But he said one week ago that he intended to speak out when he Dis agrees with Carter. Vice president Waller f. Mondale had criticized Ford for statements opposing Carter policies. Mondale said Ford was departing from past practice in which former presidents held off criticizing their successors for two  later withdrew his criticism. The immediate reaction in Congress to Carter s suggestion was negative. Nixon says Agnew probe showed exp was frankly going to get it Washington a Richard  says that when he Learned in 1973 Aboul the  involving Spiro , there was t any question. That he was. Frankly going to get  in an interview to be shown on stateside television wednesday night Nixon Dis cusses for the first time what happened inside the White House in the weeks pre ceding inc ocl. 10. 1973, resignation of Agnew. He describes his handling of the matter As  Nixon also talks about suggestions that he Pardon himself his final Days in office his thou gals As he left the while Toaso forthe last Lime As president his offer of Legal fees to former aides ii. R. Haldeman and John d. Ehrlichman and Why he did t Pardon them. He also dolls Why he accepted the Pardon issued by his successor. Gerald r. Ford one month Afler Nixon left office and his thoughts Aboul the press. Pcs pile his own watergate problems then bad and getting worse Nixon said he treated Agnew s troubles As political a Alicr than putting himself in a position of judge. Flamingo Fli Flam the iwo headed three legged Bir walking in opposite directions is Are two flamingos from Chile whose Home i the Detroit zoo. A i photo the former president said he Calle Agnew into his office on sept. 25,1973, and asked Point Blank whether the vice presi Dent was maintaining his innocence. Agnew according to Nixon said he was. But Henry e. Petersen head of the jus Tice department s criminal division told him the Case against Agnew was Strong Nixon said. The department had made a 40-Page statement detailing Kickback pay ments from engineering firms to Agnew. The vice president later was allowed to plead no contest to a single charge of tax evasion and placed on three years Proba Tion. I was very pragmatic Nixon said of the conflict Between what he was told by Agnew and by Peterson. In my View it did t really make any difference. There was t any question after hearing Peter sen and his version thai he Agnew was frankly  he said Agnew Lold him he preferred to undergo impeachment rather than indict ment and trial. At the time Agnew assaying the same thing publicly. He swore in a speech a few Days before his Resigna Tion to fight the allegations against him. The interview with David Frost is the fourth and last of the current series. Frost taped 29 hours Wilh Nixon and their con tract giving Nixon 5600,000 plus a share of he profits allows one More one hour show probably to be televised in the fall Frost opens the program citing Ameri can efforts in 1970 to prevent marxist Sal Vador Allende from coming to Power in Chile. Frost asks what kind of threat Nixon perceived there. Nixon recalls a warning from an unnamed italian businessman that with a communist government in Cuba and marxist at the top in Chile what you will in effect have in latin America is a re Sandwich and eventually it will be All  the former president also talks about the Legal fees he offered Haldeman and Khz Rychman when he asked for their Resig nations in late april 1973. At the watergate cover up trial the women testified Nixon said he could make  to $300,000 available for Legal an family expenses and that it was no Strain the Money i does t come outta  source of the funds was not Dis closed at the Lime but testimony quoted Nixon As saying they were held by his Friend. Charles g. Bebe Rebozo to be sure that people. Who have contributed Money Over the years Are  Eli Lichman and Haldeman testified they refused the offer. Just before Nixon stepped Down both11 a made unsuccessful bids for pardons. If my last act was to Pardon everybody who was in  Nixon told Frost wat would inflame the situation and also would obviously look like the ultimate