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

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

Geneva, July 16, 1959, 11 p.m.

Secto 336. Paris pass USRO. Twenty-first Plenary Session July 16, 3:40–7:05 pm. Lloyd Chairman.

Begin summary. Secretary opened with detailed examination Western proposal of June 16 re Berlin and request that Soviets discuss it seriously (Secto 331).¹ Lloyd then assessed respective West and Soviet positions on elements on interim Berlin agreement. Asked Gromyko to correct him if wrong in describing Soviet position.

Gromyko regretted lack of Western support for Soviet proposals re Berlin and discussed Soviet June 19 proposals along familiar lines. Said Lloyd had apparently summed up on basis what Gromyko had not said rather than what he had said.

After Couve noted Gromyko had answered his questions of yesterday re all-German committee and expressed his concern at answers, Bolz stated Soviet proposals re Berlin had full support of GDR and argued along familiar lines for all-German committee.

Grewe attacked linking of all-German committee and Berlin settlement and pointed out differences between Western proposal for mixed committee and Soviet all-German committee, again stating latter would perpetuate division of Germany. Bolz concluded meeting by replying to some of Grewe’s points. Date of next meeting left for later agreement. End summary.

After Secretary had spoken, Lloyd supported his statement and chided Gromyko for unwillingness discuss Western June 16 proposal which had been put up three days before Soviet proposal. He noted both sides agreed on interim arrangements for Berlin provided these satisfactory. He then gave respective West and Soviet positions re: a) force levels; b) armaments in Berlin; c) activities; d) duration of interim arrangements; e) access; f) situation at end interim arrangements. Lloyd said he understood that during interim period a) no unilateral action would be taken by either side; b) if agreement not reached, four powers would resume discussions and pending results such discussions, situation would remain unaltered. Noted West maintains four powers could continue negotiate in some forum or through diplomatic channels during duration of interim arrangements. Understood Gromyko had said that if either of two Germanies found all-German committee unacceptable, some other way could be found to carry on discussions between two Germanies. Concluded there seemed some elements of flexibility in Soviet position and of agreement between Soviets and West.

Gromyko said conference should discuss concrete matters. Regretted lack Western support for “free city” and June 19 proposals. Emphasized Soviets could not accept perpetuation occupation West Berlin. Reaffirmed that duration interim arrangements relatively unimportant but said Soviets attach importance to reaching agreement on level forces and curtailment subversive activities. Re all-German committee, considered link between it and Berlin problem logical. Confirmed Lloyd’s understanding other forum possible but he gathered from press that Federal Republic opposed to any conversations between two Germanies. If this so, all should seek persuade Federal Republic such conversations necessary to reduce tension and further cause of peace. Gromyko also repeated familiar Soviet position re subjects all-German committee should consider. Could not agree with Secretary that Berlin crisis instigated by Soviets. Re role of U.N., Soviet “free city” proposal contemplated U.N. participation in guarantee of city’s status and Soviets could only consider U.N. participation in concrete context. Would wish to know in what U.N. would participate.

[Here follows section 2, not found in Department of State files.]

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/7–1659. Official Use Only. Transmitted in two sections and repeated to Bonn, London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, and USUN. The U.S. Delegation verbatim record of this session, US/VR/21 (Corrected), July 16, is ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1389.
1. Dated July 16. (Ibid., Central Files, 396.1–GE/7–1659) For text of Herter’s statement and the other statements referred to below, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 419–438, 555–559, and 589–592. Most of these statements are also printed in Cmd. 868, pp. 262–275 and 335–342. Herter’s statement is also printed in Department of State Bulletin, August 3, 1959, pp. 150–153.