800.4614/5–2851: Telegram

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

secret priority

9603. PEPCO. Re Deptel 7882, May 24, rptd Berlin 379,2 and Dept’s plan prepare coordinated global campaign to counteract and discredit Communist World Youth Festival (WYF) scheduled Berlin in August, PEPCO cables (mytel 9506, May 243) and minutes have furnished general lines of our thinking together with suggestions for main points to emphasize in circular message instructing missions to expose event (mytel 9508, May 24). Specific info requested follows:

  • 1. Status Berlin plans: Berlin counter measures to WYF not finalized by May 25 due to slowness of Gers in presenting coordinated program and unsolved question of extent financial support available from Senat, Kaiser Min and commandants’ fund. However, in May 10 and subsequent meetings definite agreement achieved between Aug comite, Senat, and Kaiser Min that basis of program will be subsidized hospitality activities by West Berlin youth organizations for estimated 200,000 WYF participants expected to visit Western sectors. West Berlin movie theater owners have offered free entrance to WYF participants during Aug period. Special guide to West Berlin will be printed. Centers will be established where East Eur WYF participants can come and converse in their own languages. Special cultural and sporting events are contemplated. EBP exhibit now touring Western Ger scheduled Berlin July 20–Sept 6. Europa Zug on display Berlin July 22–Aug 12. Endeavoring procure UNESCO human rights exhibit. Financial limitations prevent any further activities at present although Bundesjugendring may sponsor radio lottery whose proceeds could be used expand program. Whole question of financing expected influx permanent refugees during WYF will be negotiated between Senat and FedRep. In addition to Europa Zug and Marshall Plan exhibit at ERP pavillion, ECA will definitely: (a) Feature free films in George C. Marshall House, (b) distribute 200,000 copies each of satirical pamphlet (Wir Brauchen Keinen Marshall Plan) contrasting econ conditions in Sov Zone and FedRep and of ERP pamphlet on Berlin (Berlin Baut Auf) and, tentatively (c) sponsor television exhibit (see below).
  • 2. Measures to restrict participation. In addition to exposure campaign PolCom now has tripartite position on travel restrictions which HICOM will consider May 31 in conjunction with Berlin commandants. Measures include (a) harassment and slowdown of interzonal passes and of issuance of visas to transit FedRep and (b) obtaining assurances from FedRep that no extra transport facilities will be made available in connection with WYF. PolCom agreed that before any extraordinary measures recommended to, or taken by, Western Govts, [Page 2006] to refuse passports to natls who desire attend festival, consideration should be given to effectiveness such measures via-á-vis propaganda ammunition such policy of refusal would supply to Commies. UK Element, pending HICOM meeting May 31, has reserved position on whether CTB should issue directives on passport and visa issuance. UK Element, in general, less inclined to support restrictive travel measures than US and French Elements and believes principal emphasis should be on discouragement of attendance through exposure. Definite tripartite policy should be formulated as of May 31.4
  • 3. ECA productivity fair. Productivity fair, as originally envisaged, now more or less abandoned. ECA and HICOG planning television exhibit in lieu thereof but this will not be finalized until project submitted to and approved by McCloy. Will keep Dept informed developments.
  • 4. Radio Free Europe activity. RFE contacted and in principle willing send prominent iron curtain refugees to Berlin for Aug period and to do some broadcasting on WYF. RFE awaiting complete Ger program before making commitments.
  • 5. European Union plebiscite. Mytel 9506 May 24 reported latest PEPCO thinking and instructions to US member Aug comite on this subject. Continue feel plebiscite is excellent counter-attraction and perhaps financially justifiable if utilized as counter-attraction. Dept aware, however, that UK objects to plebiscite during WYF, that both UK and French dragging heels on use of commandants’ fund to finance project, and that sincerity of Ger attitude still unprobed. Proposal will probably reluctantly be dropped unless Berlin Senat vigorously and promptly supports it, which seems unlikely due to split opinion in Senat heretofore.

McCloy
  1. Repeated to Paris, London, Moscow, Rome, Vienna, Bern, Brussels, The Hague, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm.
  2. Supra.
  3. Not printed; it reported, inter alia, that PEPCO had approved, at its 49th meeting on May 22, the background paper transmitted earlier.
  4. At their meeting in Berlin on May 31 the Allied High Commissioners took note of the measures planned to counter the festival, and McCloy stated that it would be well to take precautions against disorderly demonstrations. The Liaison Division at Bonn reported this in telegram 900, June 1 (762A.00/6–151).