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

86. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom⁰

Washington, December 5, 1958, 7:08 p.m.

5420. London’s 2993 to Dept.¹ Decisions with regard to action if any on stockpile exceedingly complex and in short run mainly psychological and political. They relate to Soviet assessment Western position and German view likely prospective course of action.

Stocks now in Berlin satisfy requirements of current policy. Dept had considered possibility of augmenting stockpile, queried Bonn which opposed. On balance, therefore, Dept believes action should not be taken this time, but funds available kept on reserve to meet future contingencies.

Dulles

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/12–358. Secret. Drafted by Eleanor Dulles, cleared by Kohler, and approved by Hillenbrand. Repeated to Berlin, Bonn, Moscow, and Paris.
1. See footnote 3, Document 82.