353. Memorandum of Conversation Between Secretary of State Herter and Foreign Secretary Lloyd0
I spoke to Selwyn Lloyd in regard to his having raised the refugee problem in Berlin as a possible area in which we could make a concession to the Russians. I told him that inasmuch as the Russians had not raised the question, it would be better to leave it alone since there was no point in our offering concessions on points about which the Russians had not complained. He said he would not himself bring the matter up again.
I also told him of the difficulties that might be involved if we reached an agreement with the Russians on the limitation of troops in Berlin since this would at once give the Soviets or the East Germans an opportunity of examining everything in connection with our convoys or personnel going by air as a necessary check on our troop numbers. He agreed that this was a valid point and that if we decided to limit troops this would be done by a declaration on our part rather than any agreement.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1364. Secret. Drafted by Herter.↩