Office of the Historian

299. Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk in Brussels1

Washington, November 14, 1968, 0150Z.

271355. Tosec 34. Subject: Katzenbach-Dobrynin discussion re travel to Berlin.

1.
Acting Secretary called in Dobrynin November 13 to make following points re Berlin:
(A)
USG has become aware of number of rumors to effect that action might be taken in near future that would add to difficulties surrounding German travel between FRG and West Berlin.
(B)
There was no need to repeat in detail what Secretary Rusk had already told Ambassador Dobrynin and FonSec Gromyko in many conversations regarding importance we attach to West Berlin and the maintenance of that city’s viability.
(C)
While we did not know whether there was substance to rumors or not, it should be understood that any actions in this direction could not help but be taken seriously by USG and affect progress on solutions to problems of interest to both USSR and USG.
2.
Dobrynin noted that foregoing comments were based on rumors. Nevertheless, he wished to repeat that Soviet Government was not going to be initiator of actions against Berlin. He also wished to make clear, however, that if FRG continued its provocations re West Berlin that the Soviet Government would reserve the right to take its own measures. He said points made by Mr. Katzenbach would be conveyed to Moscow.
3.
Neither Katzenbach nor Bohlen felt Dobrynin was particularly reassuring. Despite his statement about rumors not being worthy of a USG démarche he said nothing to discount their possible substance.
4.
Foregoing conversation has not yet been passed to Germans, French or British here but we assume Secretary may wish to do so in Brussels.

At close of conversation, Dobrynin indicated he plans to return to Moscow at end of this month.

Katzenbach
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, Walt Rostow, vol. 105. Secret; Priority; Limdis. The telegram was sent to Rusk at the U.S. Mission to NATO. Repeated to Berlin, Bonn, London, Moscow, and Paris.↩