153. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State0
5276. From Ambassador Thompson.1 All signs now appear to point to Khrushchev’s intention of trying to extort maximum propaganda advantage from summit rather than attempt at serious negotiation.
I believe this represents a change in attitude, chief basis for which was probably his conversation with De Gaulle on visit to France and [Page 394] many Western statements indicating there would be no progress on Berlin question at summit as previously reported, I suspect that pressures within bloc and within Soviet Union may have also played a role. I believe Khrushchev’s strategy will now be to develop maximum strain within Western Alliance but that he will probably not actually precipitate crisis over Berlin until after American elections. It seems likely to me that there is more prospect of some progress at summit than Khrushchev realizes, even though it may not be great, and he may have believed that in view of strong position he had taken it would end in humiliating defeat for him which could seriously jeopardize his position as leader of Communist bloc. I suggest West should open summit talks by an effort to establish basis for serious negotiation.
Khrushchev’s remark to me at Czech reception2 about President’s visit and his public statements on this subject are another indication that cold war is on again. I have little doubt that Khrushchev hopes President will cancel his trip.
It is likely that Soviet military have again raised objections to [omission in the source text] own plane. It would be difficult for him and for Russian people not to live up to their reputation for hospitality and this would be embarrassing in midst of all-out campaign against U.S. He also may be concerned that despite Soviet ability to organize heckling it would probably be impossible to prevent widespread show of interest and even friendship of Russian people for U.S. For these reasons I recommend that no decision and no further statements on President’s trip be made until President comes to Paris.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–PA/5–1260. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Moscow.↩
- Thompson was in Paris to prepare for the summit meeting, May 16.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 152.↩