Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Central and Southeastern Europe, Volume XXVI

202. Telegram From the Mission in Berlin to the Embassy in Germany¹

Berlin, July 8, 1957—6 p.m.

18. Bonn please also pass for information priority USAREUR 4. Reference: Bonn telegram to Department 8, repeated Berlin 1; Department telegram to Bonn 22, repeated Berlin 7.² British and French have now likewise received approval of redrafted tripartite paper, and British chairman political adviser will arrange appointment with Kotsiuba.

At American Commandant’s July 4 reception, Kotsiuba went out of his way to reiterate point to American political adviser that he would be leaving for Moscow middle of month for period of six to eight weeks and that he hoped meeting could be arranged before his departure to “settle” travel problems he had been discussing with Allied political advisers. He said that there were, after all, only a few minor points to be resolved, and gave definite impression that he wanted to have something in his pocket on this subject when he arrived in Moscow. Although Kotsiuba has been overflowing with conviviality on recent social occasions in West Berlin, it is, of course, impossible to say whether this, plus his statements belittling points at issue, means he will actually be more conciliatory in effort to reach modus vivendi on Berlin access. Our general impression is that strength of his position in Soviet hierarchy Berlin area is partly based upon ability to maintain picture of himself as Soviet official who is able to deal with Allies, and it is not inconceivable that having “settlement” of current travel problems when he goes to Moscow at this period of change in leadership may assume some importance for him personally.

American Director Spandau reports that Kotsiuba went through essentially same act on Saturday during lunch at prison. This morning American political adviser received telephone message from Kotsiuba requesting that latter be informed when and where meeting could be arranged to “complete discussion of travel procedure at checkpoints Nowawes and Marienborn.”

Gufler

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221/7–857. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to London, Moscow, Paris, and Washington. The source text is the Department of State copy.
2. Telegram 8 from Bonn transmitted the text of a lengthy tripartite paper which discussed the tactics to be used in the next meeting with Kotsiuba. Telegram 22 to Bonn approved the text of the paper. (Both ibid., 762.0221/7–157)