962A. 534/3–651: Telegram
The Acting Director of the Berlin Element of HICOG ( Jones ) to the United States Delegation at the Four-Power Exploratory Talks, at Paris 1
238. Allied Commandants acting with approval of HICOMs today imposed countermeasures against Soviets by initiating close check all craft navigating West Berlin waterways through which East Zone traffic moving at rate of 300,000 tons monthly. Reason for action is continuing Soviet harassment and refusal Soviets even to discuss matter. Excuse will be “prevention of smuggling” in event of anticipated Soviet protest. Burgermeister Schreiber informed of decision at 1200 today; first barges to be stopped at 1500. McCloy suggests desirability summarize background this action.
Ever since end of blockade Soviets have continued violate Jessup/ Malik 2 and Paris agreements3 respecting access Berlin by series of harassment measures on road, rail and water. They have failed in their basic objective to block and undermine economic recovery Berlin [Page 1831] and growing trade with West. However, Soviets in past months have been concentrating on gradual throttling waterways traffic, recognizing that only channel (other than air) we can expand in accordance with growing needs of Berlin is waterways since rail is limited by written agreements and road by type of cargo and restrictive operation Soviet border control points.
Waterways is also only channel where we have effective deterrent power of retaliation. Soviets have therefore been moving cautiously to eliminate western traffic on waterways connecting Berlin with West while seeking avoid retaliation by using indirect delaying tactics.
Soviet methods include.—
- a.
- Holding up approval of new barge permit applications and revised crew lists.
- b.
- Limiting barge permit extensions to short periods (one month).
- c.
- Unjustifiable inspection requirements.
- d.
- Other excuses such as repair of locks.
Soviet tactic has been to make gesture of cooperation when apparent we are on verge retaliation. Typical is recent offer of East German authorities to provide 45 trains to move coal detained on Mittelland canal by lock repair. In this case, however, Soviet attempt to play same old game of harassment under mask of cooperation was revealed by fact this offer still not implemented after 11 days, culminating yesterday in denial clearance for Berlin of first four such trains arrived in Soviet Zone from West.
Least openly provocative way for Soviets to eliminate western traffic on waterways is to discourage skippers from engaging therein through methods listed. This has been Soviet policy since beginning of 1950 and only setbacks we have been able to inflict were direct result of imposition countermeasures here last June and September. Effectiveness of present Soviet tactics indicated by fact that 50 percent of Ruhr barge fleet and 40 percent Hamburg fleet in possession interzonal permits are refusing to make run to Berlin. Effect on West traffic is equally revealing. Under average non-ice conditions 100,000 tons a month should move into West Berlin. With open January only 12,000 tons moved and February 20,000 tons was little better. Commandants agreed present most favorable moment impose restrictions on heavy East Zone and Soviet waterways traffic with objective forcing general solution.
Allied Commandants assuming complete responsibility for action which will be implemented by German police and customs supported by Allied Transport and Public Safety officials and military police. Method will be to examine all ship’s papers, technical certificates, registry cards, crew lists, and Warenbegleitscheine covering loads. Check will tighten and loosen periodically as indicated by conditions. [Page 1832] If Soviet-owned or controlled barges contain soldiers, military policewill permit passage but in line with Soviet refusal to permit transport German personnel in Allied vehicles German crew will not be allowed passage.
Our intention is to maintain these restrictive controls until satisfactory agreement reached with Soviets covering entire field of water transport, including barge, crew and cargo documentation and inspection standards and methods.4
- Repeated Frankfurt, Washington, Heidelberg, London, and Moscow. The source text is the copy in the Department of State files.↩
- For documentation on the Jessup–Malik talks in the spring of 1949, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. iii, pp. 694 ff.↩
- Regarding the modus Vivendi for Berlin reached at the sixth session of the Council of Foreign Ministers at Paris, May 23–June 20, 1949, see ibid., pp. 856 ff.↩
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In response to these countermeasures General Dengin sent the following letter to General Bourne on March 7:
“On 6th March 1951 British Military Police together with policemen of Western sectors of Berlin stopped traffic of vessels of river fleet of German Democratic Republic through Spandau, Charlottenburg and Ploetzensee Locks.
These actions, undertaken not only with the knowledge of British military authorities but with the direct participation of British Military Police are evidence of a deliberate violation of New York and Paris Decisions on part of British. I lodge strong protest asrainst these unlawful actions of British authorities which stopped navigation of vessels on waterways of German Democratic Republic in Western Berlin, and demand immediate reestablishment of conditions which existed on March 1st, 1948. I point out to you that the responsibility for violation of these agreements, and for consequences which might arise as result of such actions, falls entirely on British authorities.”
Berlin transmitted the text of the letter in telegram 1136, March 9 (962A.5301/3–951).
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