Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Berlin Crisis, 1958–1959, Volume VIII

142. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State⁰

London, January 23, 1959, 4 p.m.

3820. Paris for Embassy USRO and Thurston. Manchester Guardian carried article January 22 by diplomatic correspondent concerning assertions by Joseph Alsop¹ that UK has joined with U.S. and France in commitment to use force if necessary to keep open access to Berlin and that Western powers have rejected possibility of countering land blockade by airlift. Guardian noted no attempt made either Washington or London to deny Alsop claims and UK spokesman in fact has firmly refused comment on Alsop story. Guardian said Soviets have not threatened land blockade but have only announced intention to turn over supervision access to Berlin to East Germans. Article concluded “it is hard to believe that British Government has already committed itself to sending its tanks and mechanized forces to hold 100-mile long line of communications between Berlin and West rather than proceed peacefully with consent of East German authorities.”

During press briefing today FonOff spokesman was pressed hard by reporters on status Allied planning with respect Berlin. He replied that subject under consideration but as yet no agreement has been reached thus in effect contradicting Alsop report.

Barbour

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/1–2359. Limited Official Use. Repeated to Paris and Bonn.
1. See footnote 1, Document 139.