Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Germany and Austria, Volume II

740.00119 Control (Germany)/2–2148: Telegram

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

secret

Berlin, February 21, 1948—4 p. m.

420. Extent to which Soviets now using quadripartite meetings as propaganda forum was further shown 80th meeting Control Council held February 20, when Soviet member¹ referred discussion February 17 Coordinating Committee regarding implementation Directive 22 (item two mytel 390 February 18²). Soviet member read a long prepared statement emphasizing unsatisfactory implementation directive 22 and refusal Western Powers discuss four point Soviet CORC proposal. In reply, British member stated unwilling discuss Soviet proposal on account same clearly false allegations which caused him refuse discuss Soviet demilitarization plan Control Council. US member followed with extremely effective statement, supporting British refusal discuss papers containing such wild charges, charges which were particularly tiresome because Soviets had been making them for last two years. Each occupation power entitled use such military installations as required its needs, and world would not be greatly disturbed by fact that a few underground structures not yet destroyed. In contrast, emphasized US member, we hear constant rumors of shipbuilding in Rostock, uranium mining in Soviet zone, and orders from Soviet zone placed US sector Berlin for delicate war instruments. Even tho these were only rumors, they impede quadripartite agreement this important question. Precisely in order eliminate such rumors, US proposed 1946 establishment quadripartite committee to inspect all zones freely. British and French accepted, but tho this proposal has been before Control Council two years now, Soviets have not yet accepted. If Soviet member seriously interested demilitarization question, he should accept now and “quit talking about few holes in the ground”. French member, subscribing US statement, also gave certain figures proving degree execution Directive 22 French zone. Soviet member replied in somewhat vague rambling statement, again charging British failure carry out demilitarization, and suggesting demilitarization question cannot be reduced to one of a commission travelling around. Such commissions have already travelled around, and British have just blocked CORC agreement regarding inspection naval bases by such commission. Control Council finally agreed CORC should endeavor bring together into one paper all outstanding questions regarding demilitarization.

Sent to Department as 420; pouch copies London, Paris and Moscow.

Murphy

1. Marshal Sokolovsky. Also attending this meeting of the Council were Generals Clay, Robertson, and Koenig.
2. The telegram under reference, not printed, reported that the subject of German demilitarization and a Soviet proposal for quadripartite inspection of the four zones of occupation to ascertain the degree of demilitarization actually achieved consumed much of the 150th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee held on February 17 (740.00119 Control (Germany)/2–1848).