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

862B.49/7–1153

No. 730
Foreign Minister Molotov to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (O’Shaughnessy)¹

restricted

Moscow, July 11, 1953.

Dear Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: In your letter of July 10,² it is said that President USA is allegedly concerned over food situation in eastern part Germany and that Government USA has assigned $15 million for sending and distributing certain food products among population this part Germany.

In connection with this, I consider it necessary to call attention Government USA to following:

From your communication, it is clear that Government USA has been incorrectly informed regarding situation in eastern part Germany. In this it is impossible see anything unexpected inasmuch as you state that information regarding Eastern Germany has been received from such sources as American High Commissioner in Germany and Bonn Chancellor Adenauer, who bear chief responsibility for infractions social order in eastern part Berlin which you mention. If on June 17, there had not been organized on their part dispatch from American Sector Berlin of whole groups of hirelings and criminal elements for setting fire to food and other stores, for attacking officials state institutions GDR and so forth, then in general there would have taken place no infractions order in Berlin.

From your letter it is also evident that Government USA took decision re sending $15 million worth food products even without having asked opinion Government German Democratic Republic in this connection. Such manners at present time would insult even population of a colony, to say nothing of German people and its legal Democratic Government.

From all this it follows that in given case. Government USA has not shown any sort of solicitude re food supply German people, but has decided to resort to propaganda maneuver having nothing in common with concern for real interests German population.

By present letter, I request you transmit Government USA that on strength stable friendly relations established between Soviet Union and German Democratic Republic, Soviet Government has even earlier given food assistance to German population. Soviet Government is also ready in future, when there shall be need of it, to grant population GDR all necessary food and other assistance in correspondence with existing agreement between Governments USSR and GDR.

Molotov

1. Transmitted to Washington in telegram 58 from Moscow, July 11.
2. Document 728.