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

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

Geneva, July 23, 1959, 10 p.m.

Secto 111. Paris pass USRO. Twenty-fourth Plenary Session July 23, 3:30 to 5:56 pm, Couve Chairman.

Begin summary. Lloyd opened by outlining West’s objections to Soviet all-German committee proposal.¹ Believed Gromyko’s statement of yesterday had confirmed Lloyd’s understanding re situation at end interim period and during any subsequent negotiations but had not dealt with situation at end these negotiations. Thought interim plan for Berlin now sketched out and agreement possible here or elsewhere. Urged Gromyko reconsider West’s July 20 proposal.

After Secretary’s statement (Secto 384)² Couve also attacked all-German committee and supported Western proposal. Stressed in reply to Gromyko’s contention that reunification problem is one for Germans themselves to work out, that peace plan does in fact leave question to Germans in last analysis.

Gromyko then accused West of lack of objectivity toward all-German committee proposal and of obstructing conference. Said Soviets willing discuss anytime other questions re Berlin “in parallel” with all-German committee proposal.

Bolz spoke along familiar lines in favor of negotiations between two Germanies and attacked FedRep for policy of “force” and “militarism”. Grewe denied Bolz’s allegations.

Time of next plenary meeting to be decided later. (Following adjournment it was agreed to have private luncheon meeting tomorrow at Villa Greta.) End summary.

Lloyd listed Western objections to all-German committee as: a) would end four power responsibility for settlement German problem which necessary if reunification to be achieved; b) provides no incentives to GDR to make concessions since it would obtain recognition in event of deadlock; c) really provides for FedRep-Soviet negotiations without US, UK and France since GDR under complete Soviet control. Stressed necessity for free all-German elections. Traced progress negotiations to date. Thought interim agreement re Berlin now sketched out and though Gromyko had confirmed yesterday his (Lloyd’s) understanding that Soviet position is that at end interim period if no agreement reached, negotiations would be resumed by present Geneva conferees, and, pending results these negotiations, the situation re Berlin would remain unaltered with neither side taking any unilateral action. Lloyd noted there is further point as to what happens at end these further negotiations and denied categorically that anything he had said implied he agreed Soviets have any right take unilateral action re Berlin at any time. Concluded as noted in summary above.

After Secretary’s statement Couve also attacked all-German committee proposal, noting especially it designed promote recognition GDR and would make reunification impossible since the two negotiating parties speak entirely different languages. Pointed out differences between all-German committee and peace plan’s mixed committee. Soviet plan provides no recourse if two Germanies do not agree but peace plan leaves final decision to German people as a whole through free elections.

In addition points noted in summary above, Gromyko denied Lloyd’s allegation GDR policy dictated from Moscow and said socialist countries rejoice in unity of purpose in their foreign policies which work for peace and in their common Communist internal organization. Sarcastically hoped Secretary’s fear FedRep would be communized not based on flimsiness FedRep Government. Reiterated aims Soviet Government stated by its representatives, not foreigners who interviewed them. Agreed with Couve German reunification was for Germans to decide and noted Soviets had departed from this view by allowing four powers to assist them in solving problem.

Secretary said Gromyko had misinterpreted his statement re fear of communizing of FedRep. Recalled he had said GDR would never allow reunification unless FedRep went Communist. The basic weakness exists not in FedRep but in East German camp where people not allowed express selves in free elections.

Bolz, after alleging all Germans favor negotiations between two Germanies who are represented on equal basis in Geneva, accused Bonn of desiring use force to bring about reunification. Denied GDR desired communization FedRep and stated Germans wish avoid imposition on them of “revanchist” FedRep regime. Denied Lloyd’s allegation re subservience to USSR and, re elections, asked what would be result in FedRep of plebiscite re socialization and re GDR proposals on elections which made before FedRep joined NATO and introduced universal military service. Alleged FedRep prefers remilitarization to reunification and noted question at President’s news conference re possibility of rearmed Germany turning against West.³

Grewe denied allegations re militarism and policy of force, citing London and Paris Agreements and statements FedRep leaders.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/7–2359. Official Use Only. Repeated to Bonn, London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, and USUN. The U.S. Delegation verbatim record of this session, US/VR/24 (Corrected), is ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1395.
1. For text of Lloyd’s statement and the other statements summarized below, see Foreign Ministers Meeting, pp. 470–485, 560, and 596–598 or Cmd. 868, pp. 298–309 and 346–349.
2. Secto 384, July 23, transmitted the text of Herter’s statement. (Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/7–2359)
3. For a transcript of the President’s press conference on July 22, at which he answered questions about a rearmed Germany and a blockaded Berlin, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1959, pp. 536–546.