Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XV, Germany and Berlin

43. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State¹

Bonn, May 23, 1964, 9 p.m.

4318. In my meeting with Chancellor Erhard today, at which other subjects were discussed which are being reported separately,² I gave him orally the message from the President concerning his exchanges with Chairman Khrushchev,³ which was contained in Ambassador Thompson’s letter of May 4, received May 15.⁴ I had discussed the delivery date with Ambassador Thompson who agreed that it was best to wait until the Chancellor’s return from his Tegernsee vacation.

After the Chancellor had heard the message, he said that he welcomed the fact that the President had such a clear attitude toward the security of the German people. It was, moreover, not just a question of Germany. There was also involved the security of all the NATO countries, as well as the countries of Central Europe. It was easy to recognize what was behind the Soviet proposition. Any withdrawal of their forces would be only for a short distance, say two hundred kilometers, and would have no effect on the military balance. A withdrawal of US forces would be for a distance of 6000 kilometers. Under such circumstances, it would be a delusion to believe this would not upset the military balance.

Reduction of forces in Central Europe would be possible only in connection with general disarmament measures resulting, under controlled conditions, in a decrease in the military forces of all countries, not just those of the two great powers. He would welcome further discussion of this subject when he meets the President in Washington on June 12.

Comments: The Chancellor was obviously pleased to be taken into the President’s confidence in such an important matter. Although he disclaimed any doubts whatsoever, the disclosure should serve to assure the Chancellor that the exchanges between the President and Chairman Khrushchev do not deal with subjects vital to Germany behind Germany’s back or at German expense.

McGhee

1. Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 77 D 163. Top Secret; Exdis.
2. Telegram 4310 from Bonn, May 10, reported the Chancellor’s views regarding German foreign aid levels. (Ibid., Central Files, POL GER W–US)
3. Document 34.
4. Not found.