223. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany 0
600. Paris for Embassy and USRO. On instructions Foreign Secretary, British Embassy (Hood) informed us (Kohler) today British consider renunciation IZT agreement by FRG ill-considered and illtimed.1 While realizing disadvantage discouraging first real German effort re countermeasures and advantage denunciation agreement rather than suspension of deliveries, British fear denunciation could precipitate crisis which otherwise not be expected in next few months. Furthermore believe this weapon can be better used only after further GDR restrictions in economic field, at which time FRG would be in better position for measures cutting off trade.
Kohler replied we had already instructed you inform Germans our concurrence renunciation and had told you tripartite agreement desirable although not condition of informing Germans. Expressed hope tripartite agreement in favor renunciation could in fact be reached before Sept. 30.
Kohler explained we consider IZT renunciation uniquely comparable to Soviet rejection of quadripartite agreements and assertion GDR authority in Sept. 26 note.2 In either case legal basis for further action being established without any necessary immediate practical effect.
Hood said British Ambassador Boon had suggested FRG might accompany renunciation with public statement to effect action constituted establishment of legal basis for countermeasures which could be taken later if GDR acted in economic field.
Kohler replied statement idea acceptable if it would help obtain British concurrence and if it did not specify economic field or have any limiting effect on later FRG actions which might be deemed desirable.
Hood explained British position on IZT renunciation was reached after Home-Gromyko conversation yesterday in which Gromyko said Soviets were fully aware of GDR actions, asserted they were necessary response to Western actions against GDR, said it would be West’s fault if Berlin crisis developed because West aggravated situation by clinging to occupation, claimed USSR did not want crisis, and indicated [Page 596] Khrushchev ready resume negotiations on Berlin after new American administration installed. On basis Gromyko remarks, British thought crisis could be avoided for present.
Kohler replied Gromyko line only confirmed our worst fears and that it was reminiscent 1957 Moscow declaration3 re “peaceful takeover”, e.g. that strife is fault of capitalists who resist seizure their property.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 462A.62B41/9–2960. Secret; Niact. Drafted by McKiernan, cleared with Hillenbrand, and approved by Kohler. Repeated to Berlin, priority to London and Paris, and to Moscow.↩
- A memorandum of this conversation is ibid.↩
- For text of this note, see Documents on Germany, 1944–1985, pp. 720–721.↩
- Not further identified.↩