58. Telegram From Secretary of State Herter to the Department of State 0

Cahto 15. Eyes Only for Ambassadors. Following is based on interpreter’s summary of meeting of four Heads of Government plus Debre and interpreters at Rambouillet, December 20, 2:30 p.m.

De Gaulle asked Chancellor to give others idea of state of mind of people of Fed Rep. Chancellor said people of Fed Rep were fully cognizant of dangers which world communism represented for freedom everywhere. Previously they had been able visit parents and relatives in East Zone and vice versa but this no longer the case. Border was “like a wall”. Nevertheless several thousand refugees still cross into West Germany every week and from them people of Fed Rep obtained good idea of what was going on in East Zone. However, there were people in Social Democratic Party who so anxious get to power they play game of Communists. Furthermore, East Germans pouring propaganda into Fed Rep at extraordinary rate, more than a million pounds of leaflets and pamphlets a month. Communist Party outlawed in Fed Rep not as result of repressive measures by govt but as result of decision of constitutional court. As result Communists engaging in vast operation of subversion throughout Fed Rep, concentrating particularly on intellectuals, students and trade union movement.

Chancellor said that he gravely concerned by inroads that Communists making among intellectuals and in universities. Whole Communist effort centrally directed and all its activities coordinated to promote Soviet arms. In Western world countermeasures engaged upon in haphazard fashion; something should be done on our side to provide same kind of centralized counteraction. Several universities in US had been doing research into attraction communism held for these intellectuals and this might provide some basis for effective counteraction. If other members of Chiefs of Government were agreed he would like to submit written proposal for measures which he thought should be taken by Western Powers. Others agreed and Chancellor said he would send this proposal forward to them.

De Gaulle then asked Chancellor what situation was in so-called GDR and indicated that Chancellor had good sources of intelligence for his reply. Chancellor said that population bitterly hostile to regime but had no weapons and could do nothing.

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History of Soviet Union and satellites showed many cases where small armed minorities held under their sway large hostile populations. Chancellor said that state was conducting a drive against Protestant and Catholic Churches throughout East Zone as they were bastions of resistance to Communist regime. Churches had been particularly effective in preventing youth from undergoing Communist “jugendweihe” ceremony. Chancellor said that rather surprisingly youth of East Zone had not yet been taken in by blandishments of Communists. President Eisenhower said Khrushchev had told him he needed ten more years of indoctrination before he could risk elections in GDR.1

De Gaulle asked Chancellor what he thought of present situation in Poland. Chancellor replied that Poland was just another satellite state and that leaders of Poland today were “Khrushchev’s men.” Chancellor said that once Germany reunified he deeply convinced friendly relations with Poland absolutely essential.

Chancellor said nations of Europe should make effort to conciliate differences between countries of Common Market and Seven. He hopeful that conferences which would be held in January with participation of 6 and 7 as well as US and Canada might have helpful results.2 Certainly no intention on part of countries of Common Market to divide Europe into two economic blocs. Free countries should be united as far as possible.

In answer to a question by De Gaulle Chancellor said Germany would be willing participate in programs of assistance to underdeveloped countries but he felt these programs should be thoroughly coordinated in order to be effective and to prevent free countries from competing with one another or being blackmailed by recipient countries.

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762A.00/12–2159. Secret. Repeated to London, Bonn, and Moscow.
  2. Not further identified.
  3. Regarding Dillon’s visit to Paris January 11–16, 1960, for the economic discussions leading to the creation of the OECD, see vol. IV, pp. 6364.