July 1, 1964 - Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy returned to the United States today from his trip to Germany and Poland. Upon his arrival in New York, he said the time was propitious for the Western and Eastern powers to begin a discussion on the ways and means to end the division of Germany.
He said at Kennedy International Airport that he based his conclusions on the following considerations:
— The situation in Central Europe is calm today, and it is in a period of calm that one should attempt to resolve difficult problems.
— The Soviet Union is fully aware of the positions and attitudes of the United States, and this would facilitate discussions on the German question.
— West German and Polish representatives indicated a desire to strive for the same end, even though they differed on the means and details.
Mr. Kennedy said he felt that the situation was more favorable now than in the last three years and that the powers should therefore act instead of delegating the dangerous division of Germany to “our children” for solution.
Discussing domestic political affairs, Mr. Kennedy confirmed that he intended to step down from public office after the November elections.
He said that he had no political plans and that he had given no thought to the possibility of running for Vice President.
The Attorney General said he hoped to return to public service eventually and work for the Government “if I can.”
Mr. Kennedy said he had no plans at present to live abroad.
He said he had been in touch daily with the civil rights situation in Mississippi.
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