CFM Files: Lot M–88: Box 140: Jessup–Malik Conversations
Statement by the United States Ambassador at Large ( Jessup )1
The Department of State has given careful consideration to the information conveyed by Mr. Malik to Mr. Jessup in their informal conversations. It regarded this exchange as being of such a character that the Governments of France and the United Kingdom should be informed and it has so informed them.
We understand that the Government of the U.S.S.R. is willing to remove the restrictions imposed since March 1, 1948, on communications, transportation and trade between Berlin and the Western Zones of Germany.
We also understand that the Government of the U.S.S.R. desires that at the same time as these restrictions are removed, the restrictions imposed by the Three Powers on communications, transportation and trade to and from the Eastern Zone of Germany should also be removed.
We also understand that the Soviet Government would like to be assured that, at a date subsequent to the reciprocal removal of these restrictions, a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers will be held to discuss matters arising out of the situation in Berlin and matters affecting Germany as a whole.
If these understandings are correct, the position of the Soviet Government coincides with the position which has been taken by the three governments notably in the discussions in the Security Council in Paris and which is still their position.
With regard to the question of the Western German Government to which Mr. Malik said Mr. Vishinsky also referred, it is a well-known fact that the three governments are proceeding with preparations for the establishment of such a government. These preparations will continue. However, the question of the establishment of a Western German Government does not arise in the consideration of arranging a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in the reasonably near future.
If the positions of the Soviet Government are those mentioned above and if therefore it desires that arrangements for the removal of the restrictions and for a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers should be made, the three Governments are prepared to receive its suggestions.
- Read to Malik during the course of the third Jessup–Malik conversation, April 5.↩