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

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

Geneva, July 28, 1959, 1 a.m.

Secto 404. Eyes only for Ambassadors Moscow, London and Bonn. Eyes only for Ambassadors Houghton and Burgess. Eyes only Gufler.

Subject: Private Session.

At Lloyd’s working tea today two-hour discussion with Gromyko was for the most part repetition of the sterile performance to which we have become accustomed in our private talks since reconvening July 13. Virtually only progress, if it can be called that, was Gromyko’s agreement to Lloyd’s suggestion that each side spend tomorrow drafting its version of terms of a Berlin settlement for discussion possibly Wednesday morning. Also Gromyko may have intended slightly to relax his insistence on link between Berlin settlement and all-German negotiations although he continued, despite sharp probing, particularly by Secretary, to refuse to take clear stand on this issue. On other hand his adamance on need for Western agreement to reduce present troop strength in West Berlin remains as firm as ever, and this now appears to be Soviet sine qua non of agreement on other aspects of Berlin settlement.

Lloyd began meeting by reporting on his conversation with Gromyko who was his guest at lunch today. Gromyko had following reservations on “draft communiqu锹 which Lloyd had discussed with him in general terms:

(1) In preamble, Gromyko opposed any mention of “agreements in force,” asserting that reference should be to existing situation only;

(2) Gromyko opposed stipulating reunification as terminal point of arrangements; he insisted reference to duration of interim settlement should be confined to provision that Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, as presently constituted, snould reconvene after “x months” to discuss Berlin question.

After Lloyd’s report, there was extended discussion of other aspects of possible Berlin settlement of which following were highlights:

(1) Re troop levels, Secretary again stressed extent of concession by West in limiting strength to present levels and made clear to Gromyko that this was final Western offer. Gromyko, however, insisted this represented no change in “existing situation” and was therefore totally unacceptable to Sovs. When pressed for explanation why Soviets attach so much importance to this question, Gromyko said Western agreement to reduce troop strength would be substantial proof of West willingness to cooperate with Soviets in reducing tensions and, furthermore, would dispel Soviet suspicions that West insistence on present troop levels connected in some way with secret plans for their use for certain sinister purposes, which, however, unknown to Soviets. Lloyd, on his own behalf, suggested this question could be left to heads of government, but Gromyko replied if Foreign Ministers couldn’t reach understanding, he doubted if heads of government would be able to resolve question, (sic)

(2) Re ban on propaganda and subversive activities, all West ForMins made clear there must be absolute reciprocity. Gromyko, more forthcoming than previously, said he would not exclude possibility of agreeing on formula which would provide for restraining GDR interference in internal affairs of West Berlin and, in any case, thought that mutually acceptable formula could be worked out, but it must not place responsibility equally on both parts of Berlin.

(3) Re Soviet June 19 proposal for four-power supervisory commission, both Secretary and Couve underlined inconsistency in Soviet position which obligated West to accept Soviet commitment without inspection on access procedures but prescribed inspection of West commitments with regard to troop levels and armaments. Gromyko had previously made clear commission’s responsibilities would be confined to troop levels, armaments, and activities but would not extend to access problem.

At Lloyd’s suggestion, Gromyko, although first proposing a plenary session tomorrow, agreed to devote the day to preparation of papers on Berlin settlement to be discussed possibly Wednesday. Meanwhile, Couve and Lloyd will lunch with Secretary tomorrow to discuss Western paper, announcing subject is disarmament to explain Brentano’s absence, and all three will meet with Brentano at 3 p.m. If Western paper cleared in time and Gromyko ready, Secretary may meet with Gromyko late tomorrow afternoon to exchange papers and give Secretary opportunity further to probe Gromyko on rigidity of his position re agreement on troop levels and all-German negotiations as sine qua non Berlin settlement.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–GE/7–2859. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. A detailed eight-page memorandum of the conversation at this meeting, US/MC/158, is ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1342.
1. See Document 453.