Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

762A.00/9–2450: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret

Bonn, September 24, 1950—10 a. m.

165. Following is brief summary report of meeting between HICOM Council and Chancellor Adenauer held Bonn–Petersberg 23 September, Poncet (French) Chairman, Kirkpatrick¹ (UK), McCloy (US).²

1. Transmission of Foreign Ministers decisions.

Poncet opened meeting with long explanatory statement of Foreign Ministers decisions. Text of this statement (being airpouched Department separately) was handed to Chancellor together with texts of (a) two undertakings to be given by Federal Republic before authorized relaxation can take effect, (b) formula and interpretive minute on legal status of Federal Republic, (c) Foreign Ministers decision on German mobile police force.³ To his prepared statement, Poncet advised verbally that 3 Allied powers would consider an attack from the Ostpolizei as implicating the Soviet Union even though latter should try to appear not to associate itself with such an attack. With reference to proposal for establishment of joint Allied–Federal Republic committees to consider problem of termination of state of war, claims, security police and drafting of comprehensive agreement on HICOM relaxation of controls and commitments to be made by Federal Republic, Poncet also suggested Chancellor appoint single high level Federal Republic official to coordinate negotiations of these committees and expedite transfer of powers to Federal Republic.

At conclusion Poncet’s statement, Kirkpatrick said his Minister wished him to transmit to Chancellor view that these decisions marked important new step in relations between Allied powers and Federal Republic and that it was up to men of good will on both sides to make effort needed for advancement along lines laid down by Foreign Ministers. I then said though NY meeting had been much occupied with discussion military matters, chief aim these meetings was to find formula for maintaining peaceful and free Europe and there was complete absence of any aggressive thought or intention. Foreign Ministers decisions had been taken not only to strengthen and secure Western Germany against attack, but also with aim of advancing unity of Germany. With reference to increase of Allied forces in Germany, I said it would be understood that at present moment it could not be known with exactitude what additional forces US would be able to station in Western Germany but that this additional strength would probably be more substantial than that already indicated. I next pointed out that conclusions reached on security matters reflected views not only of Ministers of Occupying Powers, but also of NAT Ministers who represented most important part of countries of world.

In his reply Chancellor welcomed Poncet’s statement which he said enhanced importance of Foreign Ministers communiqué and said that Foreign Ministers decisions went beyond his expectations in meeting Federal Republic wishes. While he was not prepared to touch on all points arising in Foreign Ministers decisions until they had been studied by Federal Republic Ministries, he expressed (a) particular satisfaction over security assurances and said they, together with US Korean successes, have greatly increased German people’s sense of security; (b) willingness to proceed with organization security police on laender basis; (c) agreement to necessity for immediate reorganization of existing police; (d) satisfaction with proposal to create joint Federal Republic–HICOM committees and agreement to appoint Federal Republic coordinator of negotiations.⁴

[Here follows discussion of the liquidation of Schedule A enterprises, arming and housing of the Federal police, and a report on the decisions taken by the Council on barge traffic and the Berlin police.]

Sent Department 165, repeated Frankfort 185, Berlin 74, Paris 29, London 32.

McCloy

1. Sir Ivone A. Kirkpatrick had been appointed British High Commissioner for Germany on June 24.
2. The minutes of this 20th meeting of the Allied Council with Chancellor Adenauer are found in the Bonn Embassy Files, McCloy Project: Lot 311: Box 359: D (50)2216.
3. The text of François-Poncet’s statement, not printed, was attached to the minutes of the 20th meeting; regarding the four other documents under reference here, see vol. iii, pp. 1286 ff.
4. In a series of earlier telegrams McCloy had reported the very favorable initial reaction to the Ministers communiqué among most German political leaders (762A.00/9–2050 ff).