949.5262A/9–851: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt1
priority
niact
1689. Dutch Min called on Dept Sept 8 re Czech overflights and stated that Dutch Govt concurred with suspension CSA permits, although with some reluctance.2
[Page 1412]FYI only, he referred to (a) fact that US had not cooperated in case of Dutch natl Louwers when held behind Iron Curtain (b) financial loss to Dutch shd KLM be suspended, while no US airline wld be hurt financially (c) only casually to US attitude re KLM stop at NY on Caribbean route. We responded that (a) we did not recall that our support had been requested in Louwers case; that gen problem of treatment of Western natls behind Curtain was becoming more and more a matter of mutual concern with respect to which sympathetic consideration shd be given by all Western nations. We added that gen subject wld be on Wash Tripartite Conf agenda next week.3
Dutch Min made strong request no public reference be made to Dutch concurrence in suspension overflights and we agreed thereto.
HICOG shd therefore push for HICOM action to suspend all CSA overflights effective Sept 10, giving notice to Czechs Sept 9. If such notice cannot be given Sept 9, HICOM may in its discretion wish to give 24 hour notice to Czechs to obviate operational problems. In any event, suspension shd become effective not later than Sept 11.4
It will be remembered we have engaged not to initiate publicity on this action and to minimize publicity with respect thereto. HICOG and HICOM shd therefore not give any press release on action when taken. If queried by press as to connection between suspension and Oatis or Fr natls, reply shd be “no comment”. Maximum [Page 1413] response to press queries shd be that CSA permit suspended until further notice.
Appreciate efforts all missions this matter.
- Drafted by Wolf of EUR/RA; cleared by Scott of EUR/WE, Vedeler of EUR/EE, and Lewis of GER; and approved by Bonbright. Repeated to London, Paris, The Hague, Brussels, and Bern.↩
- Telegram 290 to The Hague, September 5, reported that Netherlands Ambassador Van Kleffens called at the Department of State on September 5 and delivered a note making it clear that the Netherlands agreement to suspend Czechoslovak overflight rights in West Germany was subject to the express condition that it be agreed and feasible to stop completely all transportation by Czechoslovak aircraft via Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and East Berlin. It was frankly admitted that financial considerations controlled Netherlands thinking in the matter. Department of State officials stressed that the proposed suspension was a political weapon which far outbalanced the financial considerations involved, particularly in a case involving the fair treatment of Western nationals behind the Iron Curtain. Department of State officials requested the withdrawal of the Netherlands condition and stressed the great importance with which the Oatis case was viewed by the American public and government and the ill effect upon the position of the Netherlands in American eyes should it remain the sole country not cooperating in the action against Czechoslovakia. The Embassy in The Hague was urged to repeat the Department’s arguments to the highest Netherlands Foreign Ministry officials and make every effort to have them alter their position. (949.5262A/9–551) Telegram 263 from The Hague, September 8, reported that the Netherlands Government had withdrawn its condition to agreeing to the suspension of Czechoslovak overflights. (949.5262A/9–851)↩
- See footnote 5, Document 699.↩
- Telegram 2229 from Frankfurt, September 10, reported that a note had been delivered that morning to the Czechoslovak Military Mission in Berlin announcing that the Allied High Commission for Germany was suspending until further notice the permit of the Czechoslovak Airlines to fly across West Germany effective September 11. (949.5262A/9–1051)↩