740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–1046: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser for Germany ( Murphy ) to the Secretary of State

[Extracts]
secret

988. Forty-ninth Coordinating Committee meeting April 8 …

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Discussion of Kommandatura questions (see my 92458) led to some interesting Soviet statements, also to categoric stand and serious warning by General Clay. He opened with statement that, with consent of zone commanders concerned, or Kommandatura for Berlin, trade unions in US zone may at any time join those in any other zone or Berlin, and trade union members may accept office in another zone including Berlin, if affiliated there. Although no commander had yet given such consent, US delegation was prepared urge Kommandatura agree to right of Berlin trade unions amalgamate with those in any zone. However, US delegation will not accept that any German subject to Kommandatura authority may perform an act without Kommandatura consent which a German in any zone could not perform without consent of zonal commander; if Kommandatura lacks authority over Berliners, it should be dissolved forthwith.

British and French members confirmed positions of their respective colleagues on Political Directorate (see my 924). Soviet delegate gave full support to position his colleague on Political Directorate (see my 874, March 25).

Soviet stand led General Clay to say US delegation regarded action of Berlin T.U. members at conference as illegal because not approved by Kommandatura; will inform all union members in US sector that joining union in another zone will be punishable; and that he must inform his government Kommandatura authority is not recognized.

With regard to Kommandatura authority, Soviet member (Gen. Dratvin59) said Potsdam protocol declared activity of democratic organizations should not be limited unless it menaced security of occupational forces;60 French objections stemming from their attitude toward Ruhr, recently led Control Council to reject proposal authorize inter-zonal trade unions.61 Soviets unable understand position in Political Directorate of three western powers; if they opposed Potsdam [Page 719] protocol, they should say so, and as to alleged illegality of elections, protocol does not permit interference in internal trade union affairs when they do not threaten security of occupational forces. Soviet member said he therefore supported view of Soviet member Political Directorate, but more on grounds of principle than in defense of actions of individual trade unionists concerned. General Clay’s inquiry whether Soviets would allow Germans in their zone to join trade unions in US zone without consent of Soviet zone commander brought forth affirmative Soviet reply as to principle. Soviet member also said, if both trade unions concerned agreed, Soviets would tolerate Germans in Soviet zone accepting, without permission of Soviet zone commander, office in US zonal or Berlin trade unions. When General Clay rejoined that US zone commander or Kommandatura must decide such question, Soviet member said not necessarily because Potsdam protocol only restricted trade union activity when it menaces safety of occupational forces and Kommandatura thus can interfere only when such is case.

British member pointed out only reference in protocol to trade unions was declaration they may be formed. French member associated self with Britain and US views.

General Clay terminated debate by reaffirming his acceptance in principle of inter-zonal (including Berlin) trade union amalgamation and elections of officers, but he emphasized Kommandatura was vested with authority equivalent to that of zone commanders and US delegation had come to Berlin only on that condition; consequently, US delegation cannot tolerate Berliners exercising any right or privilege not consented by Kommandatura. He regretted conditions now force US restrict certain activities of Berliners in US sector; but he regarded matters at issue as serious threat to quadripartite authority in Berlin, and had no intention participating in quadripartite accord unless US had position of equality. He said he will raise question again at second following Coordinating Committee meeting.

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Sent to Dept as 988, repeated to Moscow as 92, to Paris as 96, to London as 159.

Murphy
  1. Not printed, but see footnote 49, p. 714.
  2. Lt. Gen. Mikhail Ivanovich Dratvin.
  3. See paragraph 10 of Section II of the Potsdam Protocol, Foreign Relations, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, vol. ii, p. 1483.
  4. See telegrams 820, October 20, 1945; 869, October 28, 1945 and 1010, November 13, 1945, all from Berlin, Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. iii, pp. 846, 887, and 850, respectively.