Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XV, Berlin Crisis, 1962–1963

104. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at Berlin⁰

Washington, August 23, 1962, 7:44 p.m.

508. Paris for Stoessel also pass USRO, McGuire and US Element Live Oak. Following is guidance for dealing with movement of armed Soviet personnel in APCs on way to Sov War Memorial:

1. Upon arrival at checkpoint Sov officer should be told that APCs will be allowed to proceed to destination, but armed personnel must remain inside vehicles rather than ride outside with consequent display of weapons.

2. When armed personnel are inside vehicles, vehicles should be permitted to proceed.

3. Issue of word “escort” should not be forced on Soviets. Vehicles, however, should be accompanied. If Sovs demand that there be no escort, they should be informed that US vehicles will accompany them to be of assistance and to see that trip proceeds without difficulty.

4. If Soviets disregard these conditions en route and armed personnel appear on outside of vehicles, Soviet vehicles should not be stopped short of destination because of danger of incident from collecting crowd.

5. Every effort should be made to persuade British to follow similar procedure on return trip.

6. If Soviets fail to comply, matter should be referred to Washington.

7. This message being transmitted through military channels to USCINCEUR, CINCUSAREUR and USCOB.¹

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.54/8–2362. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Brandin and Penberthy and cleared in draft by General Gray, Bundy, Tyler, Secretary Rusk, and ISA. Also sent to Bonn and Paris and repeated to London, Moscow, and USAREUR.
1. On August 24, Dowling, who was in Berlin, asked for reconsideration of this guidance. In particular he wanted authority for the U.S. Commandant to demand assurances that the Soviets would not allow armed personnel to appear outside the APCs and, failing this, authority to deny access to West Berlin to the APCs. (Telephone message; Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Germany, Berlin, and telegram 254 from Berlin; Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/8–2462) Dowling explained that Soviet use of armed guards was a “deliberate and flagrant provocation” that would undermine confidence in West Berlin if allowed to go unchallenged. The authority was granted in telegram 214 to Berlin, August 24. (Ibid., 762.54/8–2462)