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

285. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz to Multiple Posts¹

Secto 10009.

Nova Scotia, May 29, 1986, 0430Z

SUBJECT

• GDR Controls at Berlin Sector-Sector Crossing Points.

1. On May 28 Foreign Ministers of the US, UK and France with FRG concurrence agreed that the U.S. Ambassador to Bonn should make an allied demarche to the Soviet Ambassador on May 29 at their scheduled lunch in West Berlin. The allies agreed that U.S. Ambassador, as chairman for the allies, make the following points to the Soviet Ambassador and leave them with him in the form of a non-paper.

2. Begin points:

— On behalf of the three allied Foreign Ministers, I am instructed to convey the following:

— On the basis of Quadripartite rights as reflected in wartime and postwar agreements and decisions, and reaffirmed in the Quadripartite Agreement, the four powers are responsible for the status of Berlin.

— The East Germans have recently made attempts to alter the situation regarding free circulation of persons in Berlin. The East Germans have no competence in this area. Attempts by East German officials to control the movement of persons between the Soviet and Western sectors of Berlin are a grave violation of Berlin’s status.

— New restrictions would constitute a unilateral change in the situation which has developed, in direct contravention of the Quadripartite Agreement, with very serious implications.

— The allies have never accepted any limitations on the freedom of movement within Berlin. We wish to emphasize that this is more than a question of free movement of the allies in Berlin. It concerns the principle of freedom of circulation—which is fundamental to Berlin’s status.

— We call upon the Soviet authorities to ensure that the procedures concerning free circulation of persons in Berlin in effect prior to May 26, 1986, continue in force and not be changed unilaterally.

End points.

3. Ministers of the UK, US, and France with the FRG concurring agreed to the following press statement on the issue of free circulation in Berlin, which was issued in Halifax following the Ministers’ meeting on May 28. Begin statement:

The Foreign Ministers of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States considered the current situation in Berlin, including the recently announced measures purporting to affect freedom of movement in the city. The Ministers of the three governments with special responsibility for Berlin will make strong representations to the Soviet Union in the context of Quadripartite responsibility for the status of Berlin. They will keep the situation in the city closely under review.

End statement.

4. Action requested of London, USBer, Berlin and Bonn: David Dain, Head of Central European Department of British FCO requests that posts pass copies of this message respectively to FCO London, BMG Berlin, UK Embassy to the GDR, and UK Embassy in Bonn.

Shultz

1. Source: Reagan Library, Paula J. Dobriansky Files, Germany, Democratic Republic of (6). Confidential. Sent Niact Immediate to the Department of State, West Berlin, and Bonn. Sent Immediate to London and East Berlin. Sent Priority to Moscow, Paris, and the mission to NATO. Shultz was in Halifax May 29–30 for the NATO Ministerial Meeting.