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

662A.00/10–2954: Telegram

No. 605
The Director of the Berlin Element, HICOG (Parkman) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Bonn¹

confidential
priority

Berlin, October 29, 1954—11 p.m.

312. Subject: Status of Berlin. Regarding steps to follow Ministerial Declaration of Intent on Berlin made at Paris,² we had originally considered following outline:

(a) Negotiations with British and French regarding modifications acceptable to Allies in 1952 Declaration.

(b) Genuine consultation with Germans.

(c) Promulgation of revised 1952 Declaration along lines contained in Bonn’s despatch 824 of October 15, 1954.³

On second thought, however, we now definitely prefer variation of above course of action for number of reasons:

. . . . . . .

(2) We also have received general impression that French initial bargaining position will be that 1952 Declaration represents in substance maximum which we should give Berlin. (British on contrary agree with us that 1952 document represents minimum even though they are not sure full extent to which substantive modifications can be made.)

Therefore, we now fear our original program would lead to one of two results:

(a) A long period of time—perhaps several months—would intervene between Ministers’ Declaration and promulgation of new Berlin status, which would appear anti-climactic, or else.

(b) Because of British and US desire to avoid pitfall of (a), we would find ourselves obliged unduly to compromise with expected ultra-conservative French position and come out with document inadequately reflecting US and UK position. Other consideration is advisability taking action palatable to Berliners well before December fifth elections, gratuitously supply weapons to SPD and other adversaries present coalition.

As a result of what precedes, we now recommend following program: immediate application without official “promulgation” of 1952 Berlin Declaration in form of declaration by Commandants that they were taking this immediate step in accordance with spirit of Ministers’ Declaration on Berlin at Paris and committing themselves to initiate consultations with Berlin authorities looking to further liberalization 1952 text in accordance with present spirit our relations with Berliners and the city’s special situation. Obviously we would not engage in such course action without assurance that it was acceptable to Mayor Schreiber and his Senate. In this connection we have received indications that this revised program not very far from Mayor Schreiber’s own thinking, and as a matter of fact fear German initiative along above lines, since we think possibilities gaining French acceptance much greater if program put to them by British and ourselves rather than as German initiative, which instinctively they ever resist.

Above position completely though informally agreed by Michael Rose who has just submitted following draft text possible Commandants’ declaration:

“Mindful of their enduring responsibility for the security of Berlin and of their interest in its welfare,

Desiring to develop the close and cordial relations which have grown up between them and the Berlin city authorities.

Resolved to give effect with the least possible delay to the instructions which they have received from their respective governments,

The United States, French, and British Commandants,

Have taken steps to initiate consultations with the governing Mayor and the Senate of Berlin on the measures necessary to ensure in the future the greatest possible degree of self-government in Berlin compatible with Berlin’s special situation.

Pending the conclusion of these consultations the Commandants will base their relationship with the Berlin authorities on the declaration which was published in Berlin on May 26, 1952, and will act in all respects as though that declaration were in force.”

On purely local and ad referendum basis we plan initiate exploratory conversations with French early next week and discuss above approach with them. While not easy, we believe French agreement to above program possible and would aim for comments’ [Commandants’] declaration between November tenth and fifteenth. We cannot do it sooner since British Commandant absent till then and would prefer not doing it later to avoid appearance of immediate pre-election maneuver. Will welcome Bonn’s and Department’s comments and hope for early authorization to proceed formally with above program. General Honnen concurs.⁴

Parkman

1. Repeated to Washington; the source text is the copy in Department of State files.
2. See Document 603.
3. Not printed. (662A.00/10–1554) For the 1952 Declaration on Berlin, see Document 538.
4. On Nov. 2 the Department of State approved the course of action outlined here (telegram 224 to Berlin, 662A.00/10–2954) and on that day, and the following day, the Berlin Element discussed the proposal with the French, British, and Germans. The French remained opposed, while the British and Germans generally favored this approach, but the text of an interim statement was agreed ad referendum. (Telegram 293 from Berlin, Nov. 4, 662A.00/11–454)