Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 1

762A.5/1–2353: Telegram

No. 191
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Bonn¹

top secret

Washington, June 3, 1953—5:39 p.m.

5398. Pass to USCINCEUR.

1. Bonn’s 3399 repeated Paris 919 and Embassy’s 3834 repeated Bonn 548² expressed agreement with position stated Department’s 3246 to Bonn 3676 to Paris³ that question procedure for emergency planning Germany after ratification contractuals and EDC Treaty need not be settled until later time. However British have recently renewed earlier request this subject be discussed in High Commission.

2. In support their position British state meetings held Bonn on deployment German forces (see Edcol 22 to Paris repeated Bonn 4623⁴ and preceding telegrams) indicate that SHAPE not aware type planning machinery needed in Germany, and that establishment such machinery should not be deferred. British concerned lest precedent be established which would weaken position High Commission and future ambassadors, and they consider fact that talks on deployment already held shows imminent need emergency planning and creation machinery for that purpose. They suggest accordingly discussions procedure for emergency planning be resumed in Bonn, so that High Commission may raise question with SHAPE, as originally contemplated HICOM/P(52)32.⁵

3. Without attempting appraise these arguments, Department and Defense believe British request for HICOG discussion should not be further refused, but discussion should be strictly limited to exploratory ad referendum talks on procedure. Subject objection your part, Department intends inform British talks on procedure for emergency planning in contractural period may be held among three elements HICOM and Commanders of present occupation forces in Germany, with view later discussion SHAPE and other interested parties such as Federal Republic and EDC Interim Commission.

4. Such talks could begin mutual convenience Allied representatives. Basic US position to be that procedure for emergency planning Federal Republic should follow lines corresponding procedure for other EDC countries, except for modifications made necessary by factors peculiar to Germany, such as special position three ambassadors, three military commanders, and size and forward locations of allied military forces. Since planning machinery for other EDC countries post ratification period not yet devised, except as contemplated by Article 18 EDC Treaty,⁶ we cannot give detailed guidance now, and HICOM talks must therefore be preliminary in nature and any conclusions or recommendations must be subject full review and approval by US Government.

5. One factor peculiar to German situation is that Three Powers retain certain reserved rights specified in Convention on Relations.⁷ It is accordingly essential planning machinery provide for participation three ambassadors and military commanders in Germany or their representatives in any aspect emergency planning which concerns reserved rights Three Powers under Article 2 Convention on Relations. Emergency planning for Berlin will be covered in other instructions.

6. None of foregoing inconsistent with suggestions made Edcol 22 regarding arrangements further meetings Bonn, for those suggestions concerned with present and immediate future, while procedure discussed this telegram concerned with period after EDC and contractuals become effective. However, if agreement reached on emergency planning procedure for contractual period, British may suggest procedure be adopted immediately and used in discussions such as those mentioned Edcol 22. In that event, we should have to consider whether procedure designed for use after contractuals ratified would be appropriate for use now, or whether it would require modification.

7. Request your comments urgently.⁸ HICOG coordinate with USCINCEUR.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Auchincloss and cleared with RA, EUR, BNA, WE, and the Department of Defense. Also sent to Paris for Bruce and Reinhardt.
2. See footnote 4, Document 164.
3. Document 164.
4. Edcol 22 reviewed various problems confronting the EDC with respect to organizing meetings that would consider the deployment of German forces. (740.5/3–1453)
5. See footnote 2, Document 164.
6. For the EDC Treaty, see Documents (R.I.I.A.) for 1952, pp. 116–162, or AFP, vol. i, pp. 1107–1150.
7. Document 51.
8. On June 12 Reber reported that HICOG and USAREUR had examined the various problems involved in emergency planning for Germany and concluded there was no objection to exploratory talks by the Allied High Commissioners and the Commanders in Chief in Germany. (Telegram 5307 from Bonn, 740.5/6–1253) On July 6 the State and Defense Departments authorized such discussions for emergency planning in the period after the contractuals and the EDC Treaty had become effective. (Telegram 59 to Bonn, 762A.5/7–653)