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

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

Geneva, June 11, 1959, 9 a.m.

Secto 220. Paris pass USRO. Sixteenth Plenary Session held June 10, 3:30–6:30 p.m., Couve de Murville, Chairman.

Gromyko opened with twenty-minute presentation devoted new Soviet proposals on West Berlin (identical proposals advanced June 9 private meeting).¹ Charged main obstacle any agreement on Berlin results from West’s insistence maintain at all costs outmoded occupation regime. Soviets therefore taking important additional step to contribute success of conference by new proposals providing for temporary maintenance of certain Western occupation rights West Berlin for limited period one year. During this year, All-German Committee to be established basis parity for FedRep and GDR to promote greater contacts between two Germanies, prepare for German unification and consider peace treaty. Gromyko stressed parity basis essential for negotiations between equal partners. Re West Berlin, claimed Soviets entitled to require certain steps be taken in agreeing to continue temporary occupation rights. Gromyko stipulated four requirements West Berlin: reduction Western forces and armaments to token levels; termination of hostile propaganda against GDR and other Socialist countries; liquidation all organizations for espionage and subversion against GDR and other Socialist countries; and ban on atomic or rocket installations. If four conditions accepted, Soviets willing continue present communications between West Berlin and outside world.

Above provisional status West Berlin to be guaranteed by four powers as well as GDR. And if agreement reached on Soviet “free city” proposals already made, guarantees re West Berlin’s communications would be maintained until Germany unified. In addition, there should be four power supervisory commission to assure fulfillment of agreement, without, however, infringing upon sovereign rights GDR.

Gromyko warned that if West refuses carry out these proposals for West Berlin, Soviets not prepared to permit continuance occupation rights, and that if West blocks carrying out of agreed measures within year’s time, Soviets and others would feel compelled to sign peace treaty with GDR.

Secretary replied with strong twenty-minute rebuttal Gromyko’s proposals (text sent Secto 218).²

Lloyd commented very briefly,³ expressing surprise and disappointment Soviet statement, particularly against background previous indications some agreement or detente possible. Pointed out Soviet statement smacks of threat and if so, Soviets mistake character Western powers. Lloyd emphasized had come to Geneva to negotiate and explore areas possible agreement, and wondered whether Gromyko’s speech indicated desire to end conference. Supported Secretary’s statement and said would wish give more considered UK views at later meeting.

Bolz spoke briefly,⁴ saying nothing really new in addition to his support for Gromyko’s new proposal. Also emphasized parity requirement for All-German Committee.

Couve de Murville gave fifteen-minute comment on Gromyko’s proposals, also expressing dismay and surprise, both re manner and contents Soviet proposal.⁵ Pointed out latter quite different from what conference had been discussing privately for last two weeks, and also criticized substance, including particularly threats contained therein. Agreed with Secretary that Soviets seemed to have gone back, perhaps even to November 1958, and concluded that very serious situation had now developed at Geneva. Concluded would reflect and study Soviet views, adding next few days would presumably reveal outcome conference.

Gromyko commented,⁶ in essentially fatuous manner, briefly on statements by Secretary, Lloyd and Couve de Murville. Denied Soviets had caused Berlin crisis or that Soviets using pressure tactics.

Grewe ended debate with very short statement,⁷ referring his previous criticism of All-German Committee idea and agreeing with Western contention that negotiations impossible under threat. Said would study Soviet proposal and speak further on same later.

Re next meeting, all agreed to US suggestion for Friday 10:00 a.m. June 12, in order to help those who might wish return their capitals for weekend, for which suggestion Lloyd expressed gratitude.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/6–1159. Official Use Only; Priority. Also sent to USUN and repeated to Bonn, London, Moscow, and Berlin. The U.S. Delegation verbatim record of this session, US/VR/16 (Corrected), and the summary of the verbatim record, US/VRS/16, June 10, are ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1371.
1. For text of Gromyko’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/41, June 10, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 260–266 or Cmd. 868, pp. 152–157. An extract is printed in Documents on Germany, 1944–1985, pp. 659–661. Regarding the Soviet proposals of June 9, see Document 377.
2. Dated June 10. (Department of State, Central Files, 386.1–GE/6–1059) For text of Herter’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/43, June 11, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 267–271; Cmd. 868, pp. 157–160; Documents on Germany, 1944–1985, pp. 661–665; or Department of State Bulletin, June 29, 1959, pp. 948–951.
3. For text of Lloyd’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/42, June 10, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 271–272 or Cmd. 868, pp. 161.
4. For text of Bolz’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/A/11, June 10, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 582–585 or Cmd. 868, pp. 213–215.
5. For text of Couve de Murville’s statement, circulated as RM/DOC/44, June 11, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 272–275 or Cmd. 868, pp. 161–164.
6. For text of Gromyko’s comments as recorded in the U.S. verbatim record, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 276–278.
7. For text of Grewe’s statement as recorded in the U.S. verbatim record, see ibid., pp. 550–551.