Presidential Correspondence, lot 66 D 204, “Eisenhower to Adenauer: Correspondence”
No. 734
President Eisenhower to
Chancellor Adenauer1
My Dear Mr. Chancellor: I share the regret expressed in your letter of July 13, 1953,2 at the refusal of the Soviet Government to admit the food which the United States Government offered the East German population in response to your appeal of July 4.3
Immediately after the receipt of Mr. Molotov’s rejection of my offer, I made it clear that the offer continues to stand and that the food continues to be available. Since it is our joint purpose to aid the people of Eastern Germany in spite of the obstacles which the occupation authorities of that area have created, I have directed the Secretary of State and the Director for Mutual Security to place quantities of these foodstuffs at your disposal for use in relieving the suffering of the people of Eastern Germany in the best available manner.
At the same time, we shall continue to make clear to the Soviet Government that the offer which was made on July 10, 1953, was motivated solely by humanitarian impulses and that the food is available if that Government wishes to permit its entrance into the Soviet Zone of occupation.
Sincerely,
- Transmitted to Bonn in telegram 241, July 17. (862B.49/7–1753)↩
- Document 731.↩
- Document 727.↩