Office of the Historian

60. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1

New York, January 8, 1957—8 p.m.

Delga 450. Re: Soviet item. [Name deleted] (Secretariat) informed us this afternoon that a letter and documents had been received from the East German government requesting that the information contained therein should be submitted to UN members for consideration under the Soviet item in the Special Political Committee. The letter alleged action by the United States against the government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Germany, including radio propaganda attacks, balloons, espionage, subversion, etc. [Name deleted] said that the letter and documents had been transmitted to Pelt, director of the European office of Geneva, who had forwarded them to the Secretary General. Hammarskjold has not yet decided how to deal with the documents and has asked our advice.

We told [name deleted] our immediate reaction was that East German government had no status to request any documentation and that it would be unduly dignifying the documentation for Secretariat to distribute it. [Name deleted] pointed out that the Soviets could and probably would request that the documents be circulated, which then the Secretariat would have to do. I feel Soviets should have to ask for it and Secretariat should not circulate without such a request.

Hasty review East German information given us … revealed it consisted of: (a) letter to SYG, (b) memorandum setting forth nature US intervention in GDR, including radio broadcasts (especially RIAS), balloons and espionage, (c) documents supporting arguments in memorandum, including RIAS memoranda, memoranda from Deutsche Innen- und Aussenhandel Co., various types US military and USIA identification cards for German civilians and forms for [Page 168] signature on legal responsibilities of German civilians having access to US classified data, and (d) photo album of “wire tap” tunnel uncovered in Berlin, including pictures of tags and markings showing US original of materials (not to be reproduced but which would be available for consultation).

Lodge
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/1-857. Confidential; Priority.↩