460.509/6–1551: Telegram
The Acting Director of the Berlin Element of HICOG (Jones) to the Liaison and Political Reporting Division, at Bonn1
388. Bonn’s 946 to Dept rptd Frankfort 1200, Berlin 250, Paris 320, London 277, Moscow 27.2 Commandants met today in accordance AHC instructions. French exerted every effort to prevent or delay despatch further letters to Dengin, as instructed para b of reftel, on grounds info recd today that East Germans apparently anxious get interzonal trade agreement signed and that arrangement might be made shortly whereby they wld agree that West Ger signature be made conditional on withdrawal of requirement re certification of origin. French argued this offered such good possibility of solution of problem that we shld not prejudice chances by writing Dengin as instructed. Brit and US pointed out that Germans had been trying unsuccessfully since May 31 to work out some arrangement and that, although today’s info interesting, it cld hardly be considered conclusive; furthermore, new letters to Dengin in fact supplemented German [Page 1840] efforts rather than closed door to possibility of agreement on that level.
After long and arduous discussion, French finally agreed to despatch of letters and they are being sent this evening.3 Chairman commandant will inform Reuter on para c of reftel. Re para c, commandants will meet tomorrow morning to consider proposals worked out by econ comite today.
Brit and US agreed to inform press along fol lines (Fr said his position did not permit of any statement to press):
“In reply to inquiries, a HICOG spokesman said that Gen Mathewson had sent today a further letter to Mr. Dengin on subject recent restrictions on movement of goods from Berlin. It is not at present contemplated to publish text this letter pending consideration by Dengin.”
- Repeated to Frankfurt, Washington, London, Paris and Moscow. The source text is the copy in the Department of State files.↩
- Not printed; it transmitted the text of AGSEC (51) 1006, dated June 14, which stated (a) that it was necessary to indicate clearly Soviet responsibility for any reprisals before countermeasures were taken, (b) that the Commandants should transmit a further letter to Dengin, (c) that Renter should be informed about the letter, (d) that the Commandants were given discretion in their respective sectors to take administrative measures which would demonstrate to the Soviets that the Allies were serious, and (e) that each High Commissioner would consult with his Government concerning possible countermeasures, (462A.62B31/6–1451)↩
- The text of the letter, which suggested quadripartite talks on the technical level for the establishment of measures to prevent smuggling from Berlin, was transmitted in telegram 945 from Bonn, June 14 (460.509/6–1451).↩