Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 2

940.5301/3–2951: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy) to the Secretary of State ¹

secret   priority

Bonn, March 29, 1951—11 p. m.

678. AGSec from Slater. Fol is summary report of exec session HICOM council held Bonn Petersberg 29 March with Poncet Fr chairman, Kirkpatrick UK and McCloy US.

I. Ltr to Dengin regarding barge agrmt (ref Berlin sent Frankfort 1337 Dept 1186 Paris 263 EuCom Heidelberg 76 of 23 March²; Frankfort sent Berlin 560, rptd Dept 7708 EuCom Heidelberg 587 of 27 March³ and Berlin sent Bonn niact 320 rptd Frankfort 1356 of 28 March⁴).

After considerable discussion, I reluctantly agreed to fol UK–Fr draft ltr to Dengin: “I learned with pleasure that our transportation experts had come to preliminary agrmt at Lancaster House March 22 which has enabled flow of barge traffic to be resumed. I approve this agrmt and detailed minutes thereof on understanding it is subordinate to two wider premises:

(1) Unhindered and normal movement of traffic to and from Berlin as contemplated in New York and Paris agrmts of 1949;

(2) My duty as secretary to [My duty as sector] commandant to insure at any and all times the maintenance of law and order in Br sector”.

However, my agrmt to above text was based on understanding that phrase “maintenance of law and order” in (2) above was to be interpreted by Br and Fr as including prevention of illegal trade. HICOM minutes will record this understanding and we agreed to notify Berlin commandants of this interpretation. I argued that Western allies must insure that they retain power and means of preventing illegal trade as this has always been pretext employed in counter measure program and that results cld not have been achieved otherwise.

I took occasion to express my concern that US was faced with fait accompli and not consulted regarding preliminary minutes between UK and Soviets.

2. Firing upon US bus by Volkspolizei. (ref USCOB Berlin sent CG EuCom Heidelberg, rptd Bonn and Secretary State of 28 March⁵).

Brief council discussion this subject no longer significant in view detailed explanation and aide-mémoire to Dengin contained in Berlin sent Frankfort 1362, rptd Dept 1207⁶ and results of 1400 hours mtg between Mathewson and Dengin at which aide-mémoire was transmitted reported Berlin sent Frankfort 1363 and Dept 1208 this date.⁷

3. Stockpiling coal Berlin.

In view of our concern Berlin coal stockpiling position, we agreed Kirkpatrick, as chairman, wld send ltr to western commandants requesting them to forward to Council concrete proposals for improving Berlin coal position. Council also agreed to discuss matter with Adenauer 2 April. [Slater.]

McCloy

1. Repeated to Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Heidelberg.
2. Not printed, but see footnote 5, supra.

3. Not printed; it transmitted the following text of a draft letter to Dengin:

   “I learned with pleasure that our transportation experts had come to a preliminary agreement at Lancaster House March 22 which had enabled flow of barge traffic to be resumed. I am prepared to approve this agreement and detailed minutes thereof subject to your confirmation that this local agreement is subordinate to 2 wider premises: (1) Maintenance of unhindered flow of traffic to and from Berlin. (2) My duty as British sector commandant to ensure at any and all times enforcement of measures necessary to maintain law and order, including prevention of illegal trade.” (940.5301/3–2751)

4. Not found in Department of State files. Apparently the telegram under reference was not repeated to Washington.
5. Not printed; it reported that five Berlin military post buses had been fired on by the Volkspolizei in Potsdamer Platz at the intersection of the Soviet and British zones while on a regular recreational tour of Berlin. (762A.00/3–2851)
6. Not printed; the aide-mémoire reviewed the circumstances of the incident, protested “in the strongest possible terms against the irresponsible and outrageous action of the Volkspolizei”, and demanded immediate Soviet action to punish those responsible and prevent any further repetition. (662A.62B/3–2751)
7. Not printed; at the meeting Dengin had “deplored shooting but sought to excuse action of Volkspolizei with charges that buses had interfered with efforts of Volkspolizei to maintain law and order and had deliberately knocked down two policemen.” (662A.62B/3–2951)