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

293. Telegram From the Embassy in the German Democratic Republic to the Department of Sate and Multiple Posts¹

2117.

East Berlin, June 5, 1987, 1445Z

SUBJECT

• GDR Protests President’s Comments on Berlin and Germany.

REF

• 85 Berlin 1202.²

1. Confidential—Entire text.

2. Summary: The GDR Foreign Ministry called in Chargé June 4 to receive a protest against recent statements by President Reagan on Germany and Berlin described by the GDR as calling for the reunification of Germany, an end to the Berlin Wall and charging the GDR with attempting to restrict movement in Berlin by diplomats. The MFA also protested against remarks made at an Aspen Institute seminar by US Minister John Kornblum “slandering” GDR Politburo member Hermann Axen for what Axen had said about the U.S. in a 1985 speech. End summary.

3. Barth, Director of the USA, Canada and Japan Department, MFA, called in Charge June 4. Poetschke and interpreter were present on GDR side; PolOff Sandford was notetaker for U.S. Barth gave MFA’s views on remarks he said had been made by President Reagan in interviews on May 27³ and June 3.⁴ Barth described the GDR as astonished at the President’s words on reunification of Germany, which he claimed do not reflect the realities. Reading from a prepared text, Barth stated that capitalism and socialism cannot be reunited and that the existence of two German states is an essential element of stability in Europe and in the international balance of forces. He cited the joint statement by Chancellor Kohl and Chairman Honecker of March 12, 1985, as setting forth the principle that inviolability of frontiers and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty within presently established borders are fundamental conditions for peace. The importance of this principle, Barth added, is also reflected in the Helsinki Final Act.

4. Referring to the President’s statement that the Berlin Wall should come down, Barth insisted that questions regarding the “state border of the GDR” are its own affair, and that the GDR rejects any attempts to interfere in its affairs. Moreover, he said, assertions made about the GDR restricting diplomats’ freedom of movement within Berlin do not accord with the facts; the U.S. Embassy must know this best of all.

5. Barth went on to protest remarks he said had been made by Minister Kornblum at a conference of the Aspen Institute in West Berlin on May 15–17, entitled “The GDR Today.” These remarks, Barth said, were insulting and untrue concerning a speech made by GDR politburo member Hermann Axen at the Buchenwald concentration camp site in April 1985. The MFA was of the opinion that such statements by a senior U.S. official not only slandered a GDR politician and anti-fascist, but can disturb and poison East-West relations. Moreover, Barth added, after his speech Axen had received many letters from U.S. citizens thanking him for mentioning the contribution of American soldiers to the liberation struggle.

6. Charge responded that he had not received a text of the President’s June 3 interview remarks, and was not familiar with the May 27 speech to which Barth referred. From news reports we had read of the June 3 speech, it appeared the President had spoken about reuniting the four sectors of Berlin, which had always been our policy. Even if we had received the text of the President’s remarks, we would not discuss them with the GDR. Charge reminded Barth that in our view Berlin matters are appropriate solely for quadripartite discussion. They do not form a part of the bilateral dialogue. This did not mean, however, that GDR attempts to change the quadripartite status of Berlin or to diminish allied rights in Berlin have not had a damaging impact upon U.S.-GDR relations. Clearly they have.

7. As for Minister Kornblum’s remarks, Charge said he did not know what Kornblum had said but reminded Barth that the USG had strongly protested to the GDR following Axen’s Buchenwald speech attacking the United States. Minister Kornblum had been Director of Central European Affairs in the State Department at that time and knew very well what the U.S. had said on the subject of Axen’s speech then.

8. Barth replied that he took note of Charge’s comments, and wanted to reemphasize the GDR’s continuing interest in developing relations with the U.S., in political dialogue, and in cooperation in areas of mutual advantage. He said: “You know our point of view on Berlin, and we know yours.”

9. Comment: We take Barth’s demarche as having been made strictly for the record. The GDR may have wanted to put down a marker in advance of the President’s Brandenburg Gate speech June 12.⁵ Axen’s speech (reftel) had said essentially that the anti-fascist spirit for which American soldiers had laid down their lives in liberating Buchenwald had been sold out to “insane plans for Star Wars” and “megalomaniac plans of an American world domination.”

Thompson

1. Source: Reagan Library, Rudolf Perina Files, Subject File, GDR (German Democratic Republic)—Bilateral 1987. Confidential. Sent Priority to the Department of State. Sent to Bonn, Hamburg, and West Berlin.
2. Telegram 1202 from East Berlin, April 16, 1985, reported the harsh language with regard to U.S. policy used by Politburo member Axen at the 40th anniversary ceremonies celebrating the liberation of Sachsenhausen and Buchenwald concentration camps. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850261–0245)
3. The text of the May 27 interview is in Public Papers: Reagan, 1987, Book I, pp. 568–573.
4. June 3 is a typographical error. Reagan provided written responses to a West German newspaper on June 2. See Public Papers: Reagan, 1987, Book I, pp. 605–607.
5. For the text of the speech, see Public Papers: Reagan, 1987, Book 1, pp. 634–638. The speech is also scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. I, Foundations of Foreign Policy.