Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Council of Foreign Ministers; Germany and Austria, Volume III

862.00/11–2349: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy), at Berlin

secret

Washington, November 23, 1949—7 p.m.

1027. Ref urtel 1517 Nov 17¹ and for your background info, the Secy’s conversation with Chuikov was entirely social and did not in itself have any polit significance. Secy and Chuikov had already met on several occasions in Paris at CFM in May–June.

Best way at present to allay apprehensions Suhr and other Berlin leaders wld be rapid conclusion of HICOM agreement quoted urtel. 3517, Oct 28, item 7, from Frankfort,² which McCloy was authorized by Deptel 2544, Nov 4,³ to accept, but which Fr are apparently delaying. (Urtel 3912 Nov 10 from Frankfort.⁴) Pls let us know present status this agreement. If Fr still do not have instrs Dept is prepared instruct Bruce make inquiries Fr FonOff.⁵

As for US attitude toward twelfth Land status for Berlin, this familiar to you from Dept’s previous tels. Twelfth Land status will almost Certainly come about eventually, barring some unforeseen and unexpected resolution of our differences with Sov Govt. Fact our abstaining from pushing for such status now does not at all indicate that we expect further conversations on Berlin unification. We are in full agreement that unification cld only be obtained on terms of city-wide democratic elections under conditions which there seems no possibility Sovs accepting.

Webb

1. Not printed; it reported Suhr’s feelings that the attendance of Soviet officials at a reception for Secretary Acheson in Berlin meant that the Russians might be preparing to renew discussions on the reunification of the city. He had gathered the impression from the British and French that the twelfth Land question would be shelved for another try at unification. Lack of definite information forced him to conclude that the United States shared this point of view. Secretary Acheson’s conversation with Chuikov evoked fresh speculation and raised the apprehensions of many Berlin leaders concerning a renewal of quadripartite negotiations on Berlin. (740.00119 Council/11–1749)

   A photograph of Secretary Acheson and General Chuikov at the reception will be found following page 642.

2. Ante, p. 428.
3. Not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 3517, p. 428.
4. Not printed; it reported on the meeting of the Allied High Commission on November 10 at which the French had refused to consider the recommendations on Berlin on the basis of lack of instructions. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–1049)
5. In telegram 4705, December 7, to Paris, not printed, Bruce was informed that at its meeting on October 27 the High Commission had agreed on the following recommendations concerning the political relationship between Berlin and the Federal Republic of Germany: 1. Berlin would be a German Land and at the same time a city governed by the 1948 Constitution so far as it did not conflict with the Basic Law; 2. Berlin would be represented in the Bundesrat and the Bundestag by non-voting members; Federal legislation would be adapted with the view of its extension to Berlin by legislative action of the Magistrat in conformity with the prerogatives of the Allied Kommandatura; the Federal Government and the Magistrat should coordinate the amount and use of financial assistance to Berlin; 3. The relationship between the occupying powers and Berlin would continue, subject to modifications as required, to be governed by the May statement of principles. Bruce was requested to urge acceptance of these recommendations by the Foreign Ministry at the earliest moment. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–249)