862A.191/4–150: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfort1
2225. For PEPCO. Dept considering necessity for major continuing attraction in Berlin during months May, June, July and August on which our motive of “a free world supports a free Berlin” can be centered. We suggest a “Freedom Fair” (Freiheits Messe) to be held in suitable area in West Berlin. Centerpiece might be exhibit sponsored by free institutions, government and private (scientific, artistic, technical, industrial) of “Free Berlin”. Surrounding exhibits wld be sponsored Western Germany and Western countries, including US. Theme of exhibits might be centered on youth activities in free world. Parts of fair may be built in style of sponsoring country. Fair might be supplemented by appropriate side shows of artistic, cultural, and entertainment nature, particularly attractive to youngsters. Projected automobile exhibition,2 sports attractions, open air concerts, open air film showings, book fair, etc., may be included in plan and appropriately spaced throughout summer. In fact, each month may have special central attraction. Fair may be concluded on more serious note, e.g. with Cultural Congress, including international concert, theater and motion picture week, international and educational conference, etc.
If you agree, you may consider approaching without delay various German political, social, civil, and cultural groups and personages with request form sponsoring committee to spearhead organization of fair. Ger comite wld form part of overall quadripartite—U.S., U.K., Fr, and Ger—steering committee to signify international character sponsorship and facilitate necessary technical coordination.
Request your earliest reply since we intend go ahead with stateside backstopping, including formation U.S. sponsorship group and [Page 836] enlistment prominent U.S. scientists, artists, industrialists, and civic leaders. Quite clear we cannot get whole show under way by May 15. However, part of it shld open in advance May 28 so that we avoid impression sole intention is to counter Soviet FDJ offensive; latter shld be secondary, while moral and political build up Berlin primary objective of Fair.
Expect your reaction soonest.
- Repeated to Berlin as 92.↩
- In telegram 385, March 18, from Berlin, not printed, Taylor had reported that the Commandants had approved a proposal to hold an international automobile show in Berlin during May and June and approved a recommendation to bring the UNESCO “Rights of Man” exhibition to the city for the same period. (862A.191 BE/3–1850).↩