THE NEW WEST GERMAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE THE SAME COMPOSITION AS BEFORE -- A COALITION UNDER CHANCELLOR LUDWIG ERHARD OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS WITH THE FREE DEMOCRATS.

IN BONN TONIGHT (MONDAY) THE MINORITY PARTY LEADER, DR. ERICH MENDE, ANNOUNCED THE COALITION AGREEMENT AS NEGOTIATIONS TO RESOLVE WEST GERMANY'S CABINET CRISIS ENDED AFTER SIX HOURS.

DR. MENDE, WHOSE PARTY HAS BEEN INSISTING THAT HE SHOULD RECEIVE THE ALL-GERMAN AFFAIRS MINISTRY, TOLD NEWSMEN TONIGHT "WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THE COALITION AND WE INTEND TO CONTINUE POLICIES AS BEFORE."
HE DECLINED TO ANSWER WHEN ASKED WHETHER DR. ERHARD HAD GIVEN WAY TO FREE DEMOCRAT PRESSURE OVER THE ALL-GERMAN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO. DR. MENDE IS EXPECTED TO RETAIN THE PORTFOLIO.

MEMBERS OF THE TWO NEGOTIATING TEAMS WERE RETICENT ABOUT GIVING DETAILS OF THE COMPROMISE AGREED TO, SAYING THAT THE PARTIES' PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS HAD TO BE INFORMED BEFORE THEY COULD BE MADE PUBLIC.

HERR FRANZ JOSEF STRAUSS, FORMER DEFENCE MINISTER AND LEADER OF THE BAVARIAN WING OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT PARTY SAID: "WE ARE AGREED ON ALL QUESTIONS WHICH WERE TO BE AGREED." HERR STRAUSS SPEARHEADED THE MOVEMENT IN THE CDU TO HAVE MINORITY LEADER MENDE EXCLUDED FROM THE ALL-GERMAN AFFAIRS MINISTRY, DISTRUSTING DR. MENDE'S POLICY OF INCREASED CONTACTS WITH EAST GERMANY.

WITH THE COALITION RESTORED, THE WAY IS NOW CLEAR FOR PRESIDENT HEINRICH LUEBKE TO NOMINATE CHANCELLOR ERHARD FOR RE-ELECTION BY THE BUNDESTAG.