139. Telegram From Secretary of State Herter to the Department of State0
Secto 15. At lunch April 28 Secretary and Selwyn Lloyd had brief discussions, in prospects with particular reference to possibility interim [Page 359] agreement on Berlin. Lloyd expressed view Khrushchev in absence any such agreement at Summit would almost surely renew pressure on West Berlin in months following President’s visit to Soviet Union and said in consequence he considered it preferable to seek interim agreement corresponding to our July 28 Geneva proposal for term of 3 years or possibly even 2. He stated however essential in any such agreement provision should be made for full maintenance our rights at expiry agreement. Secretary indicated general agreement noting importance bridging German elections. Secretary also mentioned that it had been agreed with De Gaulle in Washington that if question détente and disarmament came up at Summit in advance discussion Germany and Berlin West must be firm that Summit results should be considered in totality to avoid possibility early days of conference might go relatively well and then Khrushchev take tough line on Berlin at conclusion. Lloyd agreed and remarked that in his view psychological pressure more on Khrushchev than on West to achieve something tangible at Summit. Both Secretary and Lloyd agreed it would be tactically wise to delay discussion with Khrushchev of nuclear test matter at Paris until last stages of Summit since this appeared to be one area in which Soviets generally interested in securing agreement.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/4–2860. Confidential. Repeated to London, Bonn, and Paris. Secretary of State Herter was an observer at the CENTO Ministerial Meeting at Tehran April 28–30.↩