462A.62B31/9–351: Telegram
The Director of the Berlin Element of HICOG (Jones) to the Liaison and Political Reporting Division, at Bonn1
151. For Slater. Fol is text BK/AHC(51)83 dated September 3, 1951:
“To: Secretary General, Allied General Secretariat.
1. The Commandants today considered situation created by imposition by Sovs of toll on all vehicles registered in West Berlin and Western Germany using roads in Sov Zone and especially Autobahn from Helmstedt to Berlin.2 At same time, they considered action to be taken to meet this new sitn.
2. They felt in first place that a protest shld be sent utmost urgency to Sov auths. This protest shld be based on fol facts:
- a.
- These taxes are discriminatory in that they affect vehicles from Western Berlin and Western Germany only and are not imposed on East Berlin and East German vehicles.
- b.
- Bates of these taxes exorbitant.
- c.
- Imposition of tax constitutes interference with free access to Berlin.
- d.
- Tax imposed without previous notice.
Fr Commandant recommended that protest be made by Commandants at Berlin level without excluding the possibility, however, of protest from HICOM. Brit and US Commandants felt HICOM shld protest to Sov auths at same time Commandants protested on Berlin level. Commandants recommend that whichever solution is adopted by HICOM with regard alternative possibilities outlined in BK/AHC(51) 82 (ref Berlin 148 to Bonn, rptd 400 Frankfort, 335 Dept of 1 Sep3) that the removal of tax shld be made additional condition to signing of IZT agmt.
3. In Commandants’ mtg with Mayor Reuter and Dep Mayor Schreiber this afternoon fol a mtg of Senate fol Ger views were expressed.
- a.
- Psychological effect of tax at least as serious as economic and financial effects.
- b.
- Senate requesting FedRep immed impose similar tax on East Ger vehicles entering FedRep.
- c.
- Most sensitive area for counter-measures is waterway traffic and Senate therefore hoped Kommandatura wld consider immed imposition of tax on East German barge traffic which wld be on same basis per ton as the Autobahn tax.
- d.
- Berlin will need help in bringing in foodstuffs to city.
Reuter also informed Commandants that Kaumann today informed Orlopp that IZT negots cld not continue as long as Autobahn tax was in effect. Orlopp appeared to be concerned over sitn and replied that he wld discuss matter with Min Pres Grotewohl this afternoon.
4. Commandants further recommended immediate consideration be given to ways and means of assisting in transport of necessary foodstuffs to Berlin. As possible first measures it is proposed that question be explored of
- a.
- Certain number of trains be used to transport essential foodstuffs
- b.
- Planes engaged in transporting westward Berlin’s industrial products might be used on their in-flights to Berlin to transport essential foodstuffs.
5. Brit and ITS Commandants recommend that barge tax proposed by Mayor Reuter be imposed as a matter of urgency before or simultaneously with whatever action HICOM agrees upon re IZT agmt. Fr Commandant concurs in principle that barge tax is best countermeasure, but of opinion that it shld be imposed immed after HICOM démarche re IZT agmt if it becomes evident that the démarche itself will not produce desired result. Signed Gaugain, chairman secretary.”