Office of the Historian

367. Telegram From the Delegation to the Foreign Ministers Meeting to the Department of State0

Geneva, June 5, 1959, 10 p.m.

Secto 188. Paris pass USRO. Fifteenth Session held June 5, 3:30 to 5:54 p.m., Secretary Chairman.

Secretary spoke first on Berlin and GDR subversive activities centered in East Berlin (text sent Secto 183).1

Lloyd then made short appeal2 to Gromyko to reconsider Soviet position re Berlin against broader background of world wide desire for easing tensions and make genuine effort to reduce world tensions by adopting Western suggestions. Emphasized Western purpose is to safeguard freedom West Berliners and therefore could not accept Soviet proposals for withdrawal Western garrisons, introduction Soviet troops or replacement Western troops by neutrals. Said he and Macmillan visited Russia in attempt improve East-West relations. Same purpose behind UK-Soviet trade and cultural agreements.3

Gromyko then said4 Soviets had clearly stated positions and did not accept interpretations of others. Denied Soviets planned annex West Berlin. Regretted statements like Secretary’s accusations as lowering tone of discussion and said Soviets had large dossier on subversive activities in West Berlin—only it contained true facts. Puzzled that Lloyd asked Soviets review position. Did he want Soviets extend occupation to East Berlin? Concluded by asking West for clarification (1) declaration against use of force and willingness settle differences through negotiations, (2) some type of zone in Europe.

Secretary briefly answered Gromyko,5 saying that if Soviet attitude was correctly reflected by Khrushchev’s statement6 that no elements [Page 851] Western plan acceptable, there seemed no point in providing clarification on certain proposals contained in it. Gromyko rejoined Khrushchev was speaking of Western proposals on Berlin and had said elsewhere there are elements in Western plan which deserve attention if not made contingent on other points like German reunification. Secretary said he assumed from this that Gromyko wished return to discussion peace plan and he was delighted. Gromyko ended exchange by asking facetiously if Secretary switching to Western plan to make Soviet delegation happy.

Bolz noted7 Gromyko had mentioned non-aggression pact. GDR welcomed idea and Ulbricht had offered conclude one with Adenauer. Bolz said he had told Brentano in Geneva he willing begin negotiations with Federal Republic any time. Negotiations between two German delegations would relieve conference of troublesome problems. Did not wish go into question subversive activities in West Berlin but had much information such as tunnel dug into East Berlin for espionage purposes.

Grewe, in short statement,8 noted Federal Republic’s position clear re reunification and Berlin problem. Saw no reason add to facts given today on GDR subversive activities.

Secretary concluded meeting, saying time next meeting would be decided by Ministers.

Herter

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/6–559. Official Use Only. Drafted by Lewis. Repeated to Bonn, London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, and USUN. The U.S. Delegation verbatim record of this session, US/VR/15 (Corrected) and the summary of the verbatim record, US/VRS/15, June 5, are ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1367.↩
  2. Not printed. (Ibid., Central Files, 396.1–GE/6–559) For text of Herter’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/34, June 6, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 245–254; Cmd. 868, pp. 143–150; or Department of State Bulletin, June 29, 1959, pp. 943–948.↩
  3. For text of Lloyd’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/33, June 5, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 254–256 or Cmd. 868, pp. 151–152.↩
  4. The trade agreement had been signed on May 24; the cultural agreement, on March 3.↩
  5. For text of Gromyko’s statement as recorded in the U.S. Delegation verbatim record, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 256–258.↩
  6. For text of Herter’s statement as recorded in the U.S. Delegation verbatim record, see ibid., p. 258.↩
  7. For an extract from Khrushchev’s speech at Tirana, May 31, see ibid., pp. 306–310.↩
  8. For text of Bolz’ statement, circulated as RM/DOC/A/10, June 6, see ibid., pp. 580–582 or Cmd. 868, pp. 211–213.↩
  9. For text of Grewe’s statement as recorded in the U.S. Delegation verbatim record, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, p. 580.↩