Office of the Historian

386. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon1

Washington, November 30, 1972.

SUBJECT

  • East Germany

Secretary Rogers has sent you a memorandum (at Tab 1)2 pointing out that initialling of the Basic Treaty between West Germany and East Germany (the GDR) last week opens a new chapter in German history. It renders imminent the entry of the GDR (and West Germany) into the United Nations, GDR participation in international organizations and conferences, and the exchange of permanent representatives between Bonn and East Berlin, which will symbolize both states’ acceptance for the foreseeable future of the division of Germany.

The Secretary believes that it is in our long-range interest to be adequately represented in the GDR. The British and French want to move quickly toward recognition of the GDR. The Secretary intends to consult with them and with the West German Foreign Minister on this question early next month, during the NATO Ministerial Meeting.

The emergence of the GDR onto the international scene will pose some problems for us which deserve consideration by the agencies. To this end, I have scheduled a Senior Review Group meeting to be held before the end of this month, so that the Secretary’s consultation and other necessary government policy actions can take place on the basis of a coordinated policy decision approved by you. Until this SRG meeting, there is no need for action on your part.3

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 689, Country Files, Europe, East Germany, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for information. Butterfield stamped the memorandum to indicate that the President had seen it.↩
  2. Dated November 8; attached but not printed.↩
  3. The SRG meeting, originally scheduled for November 29 (see Document 383 and footnote 8 thereto) was cancelled. Nixon marked the last two paragraphs and wrote on the memorandum: “K—Don’t rush—we don’t have to be the first to go pandering to them.” Kissinger initialed the memorandum to indicate that he had seen the President’s remarks.↩