383. Telegram From the Department of State to the Delegation to the Foreign Ministers Meeting0
Tosec 242. Secto 212, Tosec 181.1 We are informed Secretary will be briefed June 11 re Gerstenmaier’s views on question holding election Federal President Berlin. These views made known to us and lead to following observations:
We confronted with dilemma which intensified by hectic German political conflict triggered off by Adenauer decision remain on as Chancellor. Our views and actions must reflect developments in Geneva conference taking place over next 48 hours.
We continue believe we must leave burden of decision whether Berlin to be site of election to Germans, and that failure to hold election in Berlin could be heavily damaging blow to Berlin morale at crucial point in East-West relations.
We gave our tacit approval to holding Presidential election Berlin in 1954. Bundestag has been meeting Berlin since 1955. If Germans [Page 878] decide on Berlin for 1959 election, Western powers, as occupiers Berlin, should assure members of Federal Assembly that we will underwrite the security of their presence in Berlin, and their ability to travel to and from Berlin. This assurance should go long way to reducing absenteeism which Gerstenmaier concerned about.
We assume that on July 1 the conference will either be standing in recess or adjourned sine die. Under these circumstances Allied initiative to veto holding Presidential election in Berlin or failure to assure protection to movement of Federal Assembly members to and from Berlin could cripple morale in Berlin, and cause serious deterioration confidence of Germans and others in firmness Allied purpose. Election of Federal President in Berlin has elements of symbolic importance, particularly as relating to aspirations to reunification, which should not be overlooked.
East German threats to retaliate if elections held in Berlin presently emerging from low level. If it discerned that Western powers retreating in face of these threats, East Germans and Soviets will undoubtedly be encouraged to make further efforts to prove out their pretensions that West Berlin part of territory of GDR. Should be noted 1954 elections and annual Bundestag Meetings have not excited any similar actions or threats.
We appreciate problem of absenteeism caused by holding elections in Berlin, and whether Berlin votes made to count, could make outcome of election problematical now that Adenauer has withdrawn his candidacy. Factor in this problem is whether CDU can be rallied round new candidate.
Secretary will be hearing very firm views Brandt this question. Seems important not to dishearten Berlin leader on whom we depend, although we appreciate this must be weighed against displeasure of Adenauer that Western powers unwilling to take this decision for him. He undoubtedly looks to us to take the action which will settle issue the way he wants it settled. We judge Adenauer not giving primary consideration effect on Berlin morale of transfer of site of election, but sees problem more in coldly partisan light hurtful effect on CDU chances of holding election Berlin.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/6–1059. Secret; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Vigderman and Kohler. Repeated to Bonn and Berlin.↩
- Tosec 181, June 2, expressed concern at German efforts to move the site of the election from Berlin. (Ibid., 396.1–GE/5–2359) Secto 212, June 9, reported that the question of the site for holding the election of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany had not been raised recently by von Brentano. (Ibid., 396.1–GE/6–959)↩