E. Germany Lauds Better Ties With Bonn

BONN —  East German leader Erich Honecker declared Sunday that improved ties with West Germany have led to a more stable Europe during the past year.

The 76-year-old head of state, speaking at the opening of the semiannual Leipzig Trade Fair in East Germany, was assessing the political scene in the aftermath of his historic visit to West Germany a year ago.

“Since my official visit last year, there has been forward movement in certain areas, and we consider this extraordinarily significant for overall developments in Europe,” Honecker said.

‘Stabilizing Element’

“East Germany regards the development and growth of relations with West Germany, including economic relations, as a stabilizing element in international relations.”

Honecker’s trip last September was the first by an East German leader since the Communist state was established after World War II, dividing Germany into two parts.

The East German leader’s customary remarks at the Leipzig event are generally taken to represent his current views on the status of East-West relations.

During the past year, observers say, ties between Bonn and East Berlin have strengthened, while discord has eased, despite the fact that the president and head of the East German Communist Party does not share all of the views of Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev regarding liberalization of their societies and economies.

West Germany’s chief representative in East Berlin, Hans-Otto Braeutigan, also praised relations between the two Germanies since the Honecker visit, although he said he would like to see more freedom of travel for those living in East Germany.

Honecker made his remarks while touring with members of the Politburo through West German exhibits. About 6,000 exhibitors from 100 countries attend the fair, hoping to sell equipment to East Germany and other Communist nations.

The East German leader stopped to be interviewed at the stand of the Bayer chemical concern, which has developed close commercial ties with East Germany.

Antibiotics Plant

Later, Bayer Chairman Hermann Strenger said the Leverkusen-based company would complete a deal worth between $5.3 million and $6.3 million to build a plant that will make antibiotics in East Germany.

However, the major attraction for East German visitors to the fair Sunday was the new, locally made Wartburg automobile, powered by a four-stroke engine. It is built under license from Volkswagen, West Germany’s largest car manufacturer. Most East German cars have two-stroke engines, which are underpowered and emit great quantities of exhaust.