301. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State1
1951. Because of change in his schedule, Chancellor asked to see me today instead of February 20. Purpose of visit appeared to convey his assurance that FedRep had no desire to become involved in direct talks with Soviets. Chancellor said he had had talks with Mende and other FDP leaders in this sense, pointing out to them his view that Soviets were unlikely to make any concessions to Germans which they were unwilling to make to three Western powers.
In response to my query whether he thought Soviets really desired direct talks, he said he doubted they were greatly interested, and again expressed view Soviets had no concessions to make to Germans. When I speculated that one Soviet gambit might be offer to improve lot of East Germans in response to more forthcoming attitude on part of FedRep, he said this would be spectacular development, but felt it would be difficult for Soviets to come up with.
In response to my query whether he had any thoughts re present course of Thompson-Gromyko talks, Adenauer was somewhat reserved. He remarked that de Gaulle had told him at Baden-Baden2 that talks merely proved he (de Gaulle) had been right, and there was some slight implication that Chancellor was now inclined to agree. He went on to say, however, that it was important in further conversations to make Soviets aware West was not afraid, and at same time to convey as great a sense of Western unity as was possible.