762B.00/8–2850: Telegram

The Director of the Berlin Element, HICOG (Page) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfort1

confidential

356. Our 349 August 26, repeated Department 298.2 National Front Congress closed August 26. As far as public statements go, exhibited normal development of policies laid down by July SED Congress (our 157 July 27, repeated Department as Frankfort’s 921 August 2), with no signs change tempo and no new commitments which would limit future freedom of action.

Congress formally enlisted National Front in National Resistance, which said to mark “new stage” in fight for German unity, all-German Government, peace treaty, withdrawal occupation troops: Anglo-Americans forced concede these when Occupation Statute, Security Board et cetera “annulled through national will of our people.”

Peace struggle invoked as motive for resistance: major emphasis Korea as warning, imminent danger world war which would mean end of German national existence (deliberately planned by Anglo-Americans for purpose eliminating German competition).

GDR as base for National Front, “shining example” showing West Germany that joining 5-year plan, friendship with USSR, et cetera is sole way to peace, unity, happiness. Interzonal and eastern trade dangled as “economic aid for West Germany”.

All-German status of congress repeatedly emphasized: represents “overwhelming majority of German people”; 1064 out of 2466 delegated from West Germany; styled “first German National Congress”, thus suggesting enduring institution. Approved National Front election program for October 15 (peace, unity, peace treaty, troop withdrawal, 5-year plan) thereby “symbolically” sanctioning candidate lists; hence representatives elected “will be deputies of all Germany” (Nuschke). GDR likewise called “kernel” of unified democratic Germany, “state foundation for all Germany in struggle for peace, unity”. [Page 968] Both its constitution and its work “set up for all Germany”. Early formation “All-German Government” with which conclude peace treaty one of “demands” in election program. October elections declared historically significant for whole German people the election held in part of Germany where “imperialist oppression no longer exists”.

Thus congress further prepared way for possible pretense GDR government after October 15 is All-German Government, but without committing Communists to this step. Newly elected National Council of National Front henceforth available sanction further moves this direction if needed, including approval lists of candidates. No hint of underground West German participation October 15 election would probably still be guarded secret anyway but present trend suggests superfluous.

Reiterated stress on Potsdam, peace treaty, troop withdrawal coupled with attack (as at SED Congress) on Anglo-American plans “dictate” termination state of war without unification Germany, peace treaty or troop withdrawal. Pieck insisted peace treaty with government representing all Germany is only lawful means end state of war; charged west powers seeking prolong occupation, make split of Germany permanent, avoid negotiation with Germans as equals.

Nothing said to imply USSR will negotiate treaty with GDR without west powers, but possible hint given where election program called for early conclusion peace treaty “which will make possible restoration of unity of Germany” thus suggesting treaty may come before full unity attained.

Berlin not neglected; special resolution for resistance there.3

Sensitiveness to west rearmament and anti-Communist measures indicated by strong protests, warnings of retribution to “quislings” and informants. Special scorn for inclusion west Germans as equals in “Anglo-American aggression army”. Failure of congress to give new major impetus to Communist drive may indicate Communist hesitation, wish to keep hands free for later decision, or merely normal Communist practice redundant propagation SED Congress impetus for some months yet, while keeping next major move secret. Absence alert police in parade and of ominous references to Soviet Army should not, in our view, be read as sign of slackened pressure but rather nature of occasion. East press admittedly published only excerpts of congress speeches and Grotewohl said to have made important speech in closed session. So full import of congress probably yet to be disclosed. Meanwhile [Page 969] can only say that congress has only moderately increased probability of big move in October (Frankfort’s D–339 August 44).

Department pass Moscow; sent Frankfort 356, repeated information Department 306, Moscow 31, pouched London, Paris, Rome.

Page
  1. The source text was sent as 1466 to the Department of State.
  2. Not printed.
  3. In telegram 328, September 1, from Berlin, not printed, Page reported that the resolution on Berlin had called for a unified democratic Berlin and resistance to the “American Mayor” Reuter. East Sector Mayor Ebert in his opening speech had stressed the quadripartite status of the city, and Page was unclear what significance lay behind this. (762B.00/9–150)
  4. Not printed.