740.00119 E. A. C./7–1045: Telegram

No. 410
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
secret
us urgent

6932. Comea 331. I appreciated Dept’s prompt action (urtel 5561, July 82) to facilitate conclusion agreement on French zones in Germany. After lengthy discussion last night with EAC unable at present complete this agreement.

Marked shift occurred yesterday in Soviet approach. Gousev now states that he does not know whether his Govt would approve postponing for later decision delimitation of French area in Berlin; that his Govt may wish description French area included in agreement; and that he must consult his Govt. Gousev expected to leave this morning for Moscow.

Sent Dept as 6932; reptd secret for Murphy as 30 from Winant.

Must assume this shift based on instructions from Moscow. Since June 29 Gousev has been entirely familiar with our proposal contained in final paragraph draft report.3 As late as July 6 he approved draft agreement which omits description French area Berlin and approved draft report except final sentence (mytel 6856, July 74 rptd Murphy as 20).

[Page 601]

Last night several formulas, including omission final sentence draft report, were discussed in lengthy effort complete agreement. Gousev was adamant in stating his inability conclude at this time and in objecting to each formula in turn, including his own proposal of July 6.5

New Soviet tactic may mean that Gousev will consult his Govt and that Moscow may then send instruction enabling EAC conclude agreement this week. I believe this would be Gousev’s desire. On other hand Soviet Govt may intend leave this question unsettled until conference6 with view to insisting at conference on its view that French area in Berlin be formed from US and UK areas.

Winant
  1. The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 15 of July 11 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 800.00 Summaries/7–1145).
  2. Document No. 409.
  3. See document No. 407.
  4. Document No. 407.
  5. See document No. 407.
  6. i. e., the Berlin Conference.