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

396.1 BE/2–1754: Telegram

No. 498
The United States Delegation at the Berlin Conference to the Department of State¹

confidential

Berlin, February 17, 1954—10 p.m.

Secto 159. Department pass OSD. Following summary first part February 17 For Minister’s meeting, Eden presiding:²

Molotov spoke first on European security. He asked that other Ministers address themselves to Soviet proposal for partial withdrawal of troops from Germany.³ He insisted that this would both reduce international tensions and would alleviate situation of German people. Molotov then turned to Soviet proposal for European security treaty.⁴ Referring to Bidault’s inquiry as to whether Soviet Union considered its security proposal compatible with NATO, he once again avoided direct reply. He repeated previous statement that security treaty was alternative to EDC, with which it was incompatible. He said Soviet Union willing study question whether security treaty compatible with NATO and intimated that latter might be so amended as to overcome difference of views between East and West regarding its defensive nature. Finally, in reply to previous statements by Bidault regarding the garrisoned people’s police in Soviet Zone, Molotov suggested that joint effort be made introduce clarity into this question. He then read following proposal:

“The Governments of France, the United Kingdom, the USA and the USSR, consider it desirable to have agreement achieved by the parties (storon) on the German police, both in Eastern and Western Germany, involving matters relating to the strength and armament of all types of police.”⁵

Secretary Dulles then made statement transmitted Secto 160.⁶

Bidault pointed out again that Soviet proposals would destroy Western security system, while leaving own unimpaired. He insisted European security arrangements must crown a European settlement, which would involve settlement of German and Austrian questions. We find ourselves however in situation where cannot face breaking up security arrangements, and it will not help to substitute for these agreements with countries which make statements that are anything but reassuring. Bidault then drew attention to fact that Soviet security proposals provided for participation of one country which stretches from Europe to the Pacific and is allied with Communist China. He saw no reason therefore to exclude other non-European powers which have historically been concerned with Europe.

Bidault observed that Molotov had again failed to answer his question regarding compatibility of NATO and Soviet security proposal. He recalled then various statements made since 1949 in Soviet notes regarding the aggressive aims of NATO. He insisted that security must be considered in intercontinental framework and could not be predicted upon withdrawal US troops. He concluded by expressing hope Soviets would give careful consideration to proposals on European security advanced by French delegation.

During course this statement, Bidault referred to question garrisoned peoples police and said that, whatever Molotov said, troops in barracks are generally considered an army.

Meeting recessed following Bidault’s statement.

1. Repeated to London, Paris, Bonn, Moscow, and Vienna.
2. The meeting began at 3:30 p.m. The U.S. Delegation verbatim record of the twentieth plenary, USDEL PLEN/20, is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 195. For a record of the second part of the plenary, see Secto 162, infra.
3. For this proposal, see FPM(54)46, Document 516.
4. For this proposal, see FPM(54)47, Document 517.
5. This proposal was circulated as FPM(54)76.
6. Document 500.