1.
LV THE CHANCELLERY.
0.04

2.
SV MENDE'S CAR.
0.10

3.
CU MENDE.
0.13

4.
SV STUDENT APPROACH CAR.
0.19

5.
CU MENDE.
0.23

6.
SV CAR MOVES OFF.
0.27

7.
SV STRAUSS CAR LEAVES. (2 SHOTS)
0.36



Initials DD/V/WH/LW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A DAY OF CONSULTATION ON THE FORMATION OF A NEW WEST GERMAN GOVERNMENT ENDED TONIGHT (TUESDAY) WITH STRONG REPORTS FROM BONN THAT CHANCELLOR ADENAUER IS TO DROP HERR FRANZ-JOSEF STRAUSS. THE DEFENCE MINISTER, FOLLOWING THE OBJECTIONS RAISED BY THE FREE DEMOCRATS OVER THE DER SPIEGEL AFFAIR. IT WAS BEING SUGGESTED THAT HERR STRAUSS WOULD BE OFFERED THE PARLIAMENTARY LEADERSHIP OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT PARTY.

AN EARLY CALLER AT THE BONN CHANCELLERY FOR PRIVATE TALKS WITH DR. ADENAUER WAS DR. ERICH MENDE, THE FREE DEMOCRATS' LEADER. BEFORE HE WENT IN THE TOLD REPORTERS THERE HAD BEEN NO CHANGE IN HIS PARTY'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS HERR STRAUSS. THE FREE DEMOCRATS SAY HERR STRAUSS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WITHHOLDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPENDING ACTION AGAINST DER SPIEGEL MAGAZINE FROM THE JUSTICE MINISTER, A FREE DEMOCRAT. THEY ACCORDINGLY WITHDREW THEIR FIVE MINISTERS FROM THE CABINET LAST WEEK.

DR ADENAUER'S OTHER VISITORS INCLUDED THE MAN TIPPED TO SUCCEED HERR STRAUSS AS DEFENCE MINISTER - HERR PAUL LUCKE THE 48-YEAR-OLD HOUSING MINISTER. HERR STRAUSS WAS ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING.