Moscow Embassy Files—500 Berlin Conference

No. 78
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Soviet Assistant Foreign Commissar (Vyshinsky)

secret
No. 347

Dear Mr. Vyshinski: General Eisenhower has been charged with the responsibility of making the arrangements in Berlin for the housing, feeding, and establishing communications for the American delegation at the meeting in mid-July.

He wishes to send his representatives headed by Major General Parks, including 50 officers, 175 enlisted men and 50 trucks to Berlin tomorrow, June 20. The truck transportation and the moving of the enlisted men will go by the Dessau-Berlin Autobahn, whereas General Parks and the officers will go to Berlin in 5 transport planes via Stendal.

In addition, General Eisenhower would like to have freedom of movement on the Dessau-Berlin Autobahn and permission to fly the necessary aircraft at will from Halle to Berlin, effective June 20 and thereafter, in order to bring the necessary supplies to Berlin.

General Deane has brought this matter up with the Soviet General Staff who have indicated that General Eisenhower’s representatives should not go to Berlin until Marshal Zhukov arrives there on the 28th of June.

I am sure you will understand that this meeting involves a great deal of detailed preparation and a movement of a rather large party from the United States to Berlin. The slightly more than two weeks available after June 28 will not allow sufficient time to make adequate preparations.

I ask that the Soviet Government authorize the Soviet General Staff to approve General Eisenhower’s request as indicated above and that General Deane be notified tonight so that the movement may start tomorrow.

Sincerely yours,

W. A. Harriman