Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

862A.00/1–3052: Telegram

No. 533
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Bonn¹

secret

Washington, March 20, 1952—7:04 p.m.

2174. Fol remarks made by Hallstein Mar 14 at informal mtg with Ger Bureau concerning FedRep support Berlin during course discussion outstanding problems pending in connection contractual arrangements negots.² Hallstein said there was no question that Fed Govt assumed responsibility for Berlin. In fact he claimed difficulties in negot arose from reluctance on part Fed Govt to assume as contractual obligation one which they felt was clearly Ger obligationquite apart from any contract placing obligation in scope contractual agreement wld be embarrassing since it wld imply Fed Govt undertook obligation only at insistence Allies.

Hallstein pointed out constitution FedRep specifically provided for inclusion Berlin in terr FedRep and noted this art was inoperative solely due to objection Allies. Were it not for such objection there wld not be any problem whatsoever, he said. Hallstein added Fed Govt wld be seriously disturbed if Berlin shld receive direct dol assistance from US or in other way shld be treated as separate polit entity. He seemed to feel whole Berlin question was satisfactorily under control except for issue he described above of expressing assumption responsibility in such way as not offend sensibilities Berlin and FedRep.

Wld appreciate your comment on above and explanation how this conforms with reports para 2 urtel 1332, Jan 30³ that Fed Govt unwilling assume responsibility for support of Berlin. We have not recd advice whether or not proposal stated ourtel 1389, Feb 2⁴ was ever submitted Fed Govt for its comments. Hallstein seems to have said such position would not appear objectionable. Wld you advise whether this has been raised with Fed Govt and if so what occurred.

Acheson

1. Drafted by Margolies and cleared with GPA and MSA. Repeated to Berlin, Paris, and London.
2. Regarding Hallstein’s visit to the United States, see the memorandum of conversation, Document 143.
3. Not printed. (862A.00/1–3052)
4. Telegram 1389 instructed HICOG to press the Federal Republic for full assumption of Berlin support, allowing the issue to be referred to higher levels if necessary to reach a satisfactory settlement. (862A.00/2–252)