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

320. Delegation Record of Meeting⁰

Geneva, May 21, 1959, 9:30 a.m.

FULL DELEGATION MEETING

Soviet Note on “Subversive” U.S. Radio in Berlin

1. Mr. Merchant noted that the Russians yesterday delivered a note¹ to Embassy Moscow alleging U.S. operation of a radio station in Berlin sending “subversive” broadcasts to the Soviet Union. He commented that it was in general moderately worded. The Secretary asked that the facts be ascertained regarding the Soviet allegation. Mr. Hillenbrand expressed the opinion that the activities alleged in the note were not in fact going on at this time.

Conference Tactics

2. Mr. Merchant explained that Western speaking assignments for the next two days call for statements by the Secretary on security, by Grewe on the confederation concept, by Lloyd on reunification, and by Couve on Berlin. It is hoped that these four speeches will refocus the Conference discussion on the Western Peace Plan. There was agreement that it would be desirable for the Secretary not to make his statement on security until Friday by which time State and Defense would have had an opportunity to work out an agreed position. The Secretary inquired whether it would be desirable to make a reply to Gromyko’s suggestion that the Soviet draft peace treaty be taken article by article,² and thought we should say something to take the initiative away from Gromyko. Mr. Merchant said that yesterday Malik had urged to him that the Soviet draft be reviewed article by article.³ The Secretary made it clear that the West should not talk about a peace treaty until we get agreement on the principle of German reunification. Ambassador Thompson suggested that the West not force the issue but go ahead with the elaboration of our own proposals; Ambassador Thompson continued that at the end of this week it would be important to decide where we go from here. The Secretary noted that the Western Four were meeting here today and will meet again on Monday to plan for the third week’s work.

Ambassador Thompson wondered whether it would be desirable for the West to table a paper on an interim solution for Berlin. The Secretary thought that we might do so in the case of Berlin but that we should leave to the Soviets the tabling of proposals on other subjects.

Soviet Criticism of West Germans

3. The Secretary said that it was desirable for the West to rebuke the Russians for the abusive language they have been using about the West Germans. He indicated that we should have material available to show that the East Germans are guilty of the charges the Russians have been making against the West Germans. In this connection Mr. Freers pointed out that Ulbricht’s speech on Sunday⁴ in Rostock contained a passage on Soviet-DDR plans for communization of West Germany which had been omitted from the press accounts. He suggested that this could be exploited in our refutation of attacks on the West Germans. Mr. Reinhardt thought that one of the most effective refutations of German remarks yesterday would be to get to the press the communization of West Germany section of Ulbricht’s speech. The Secretary indicated that he thought this should be done at once.

Press Reaction to Conference

4. Mr. Berding said that there is a great deal of press interest in the dinner the Secretary is giving tonight. The Secretary said that the line to take was that it was simply a courtesy dinner.

Mr. Berding noted the press coverage of the Conference is declining in volume and interest and that the press is expressing the hope that secret sessions will soon be held which will produce new developments. Mr. Berding noted that the Soviet briefing officer had praised the Secretary and Lloyd’s approach to the conference and indirectly attacked the French for an unrealistic attitude. The Soviet briefer also said that the Soviets are not in favor of secret meetings, claiming that they have nothing to hide.

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1354. Secret. Drafted by James. The meeting was held in Conference Room 209 of the Consulate General Annex.
1. A translation of this note was transmitted in telegram 2331 from Moscow, May 20. (Ibid., Central Files, 962A.40/5–2059)
2. Gromyko made this suggestion at the seventh session on May 19; see Document 314.
3. See Document 317.
4. A summary of Ulbricht’s speech was transmitted in telegram 976 from Berlin, May 20. (Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–HE/5–2059)