275. Telegram From the Mission at Berlin to the Department of State 0

12. Topping, Berlin AP correspondent, was asked suddenly this morning if he wished to accompany East German correspondents to visit detained helicopter crew. Accompanied by eight East German correspondents [Page 727] convoy of four cars proceeded from Berlin direct to Dresden. Prior to press conference there arranged by Alex Gruettner, official East German Foreign Ministry, Topping had opportunity to forewarn group privately large scale press conference was impending, suggested group designate spokesman, warned he would be only American correspondent present.

At subsequent press conference attended by East German newsreel, TV and newspaper correspondents US group spokesman Major Kemper stated: “They are holding us as political hostages. We are being used as tools. We are not being told about what is going on in the political negotiations over us. I can’t imagine why we are being held. We got into East Germany accidentally”. Said his group voluntarily surrendered to the East German police after their helicopter became lost due to a thunderstorm and landed out of gas. Helicopter damaged in landing. Following surrender to East German police East Germans promptly turned Americans over to Russian Army and they spent first night in a Soviet camp. Next morning the Russians returned them to the East Germans with the pledge that they would be released. Part of group questioned by Soviets first night, subsequently all of group interrogated by East Germans.

At this morning’s press conference Gruettner echoed Winzer’s statement regarding willingness East Germany release crew provided U.S. deal with East Germany on government to government basis, and avoid implication East Germany still a zone of occupation. Emphasized East Germany a sovereign nation. To this Captain Frank Athanson shouted: “Two of your people in civilian clothes took me to Russian headquarters that night. A Russian officer signed a receipt for me. I stayed under Russian control that night. That is not the action of a sovereign state.” East German said this procedure normal under mutual troop stationing agreement between Russia and East Germany. Athanson said: “Yeah. Mutual agreement or were you getting instructions?”

In response to group’s complaint that they had no news U.S. efforts in their behalf Topping was able to advise group privately of U.S. concern for them and assure them of high level negotiations going on for their release.

Following Topping’s reassurances, group spokesman indicated willingness group to stick it out until release effected.1

Hillenbrand
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762B.5411/7–258. Confidential; Niact. Also sent priority to Bonn and repeated priority to USAREUR, London, Moscow, and Paris.
  2. Hillenbrand discussed the press conference with Topping on July 3. Topping believed the East Germans were beginning to be embarrassed by the helicopter incident, and that the press conference, which was held to bolster their position, had backfired. (Telegram 17 from Berlin, July 3; ibid., 726B.5411/7–358) General Hamlett also talked with Topping on July 3 and reported along similar lines. (Telegram 18 from Berlin, July 3; ibid.)