740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–148: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
1565. In surprise move, Soviets ended their participation in Allied Kommandatura. Soviet chief of staff requested other chiefs of staff to meet at noon today and read official statement as follows:
“Well-known behavior of Colonel Howley and lack of reaction on part of British and French representatives to protests made by Soviet authorities as well as separate actions of French, US and British authorities in introducing currency reform of Western Zones into Berlin, city which is part of economic system of Soviet Zone, have resulted in fact that the quadripartite meetings in the Allied Kommandatura cannot take place any longer. In connection with this, Soviet representatives will no longer participate in the quadripartite meetings of the bodies of the Allied Kommandatura in Berlin.”
Subsequent questioning elicited statement by Colonel Kalinin that “Allied Kommandatura discontinues its work. In other words, there is no Allied Kommandatura.”
Small staff will temporarily continue to work in Kommandatura building, apparently preparing to remove archives. Soviet flag continues flying and Soviet guard still on duty. In reply to question Kalinin said past decisions and orders of Kommandatura remain valid and “since all decisions were taken on basis of mutual agreement, these agreements and these decisions are valid for us.”
Consequences of this unexpected action on municipal government are not yet known.
Sent Department 1565; repeated London 301, Paris 301, Moscow 266.