Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

263. Telegram From the Embassy in the German Democratic Republic to the Department of State¹

261.

East Berlin, January 26, 1984, 1401Z

SUBJECT

• Asylum Seekers in Embassy.

REF

• (A) Berlin 260;²
• (B) Berlin 255;³
• (C) State 23572.⁴

1. C—Entire text.

2. The family of three left voluntarily at about 1430 hours after speaking with EmbOff. They were not stopped immediately on departure, but a GDR police car moved off after they turned the corner, and we can only assume they will be at least questioned.

3. The young man who came earlier (Ref B) remains in the landing area, still refusing to depart. We have continued to make the case that asylum is not possible and that it is in his best interests to leave and pursue existing mechanisms. He still maintains he has been in jail once before and has nothing to lose by staying.

Ridgway

1. Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Cable File, Europe (State) NODIS IN (01/21/1984–04/23/1984). Confidential; Niact Immediate; Nodis.
2. See Document 262.
3. See footnote 3, Document 262.
4. See footnote 2, Document 262.