Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XV, Germany and Berlin

264. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany¹

Washington, May 9, 1968, 1559Z.

160930. NATUS. Subject: Berlin Access. Ref: Berlin 1399.²

1. Department believes we should not encourage FRG to undertake probes (para 5 reftel). Would prefer to allow German travel to Berlin to develop normally; this will bring to light GDR interference with access in any event but would reduce risk of friction among the four western countries, imputations of blame, etc., if deliberate probe should lead to difficulties.

2. We share Ambassador’s view that politically inspired efforts to dramatize Berlin-Bonn ties (para 6 reftel) are inopportune but Department reluctant to reproach Germans on them for the time being. Our motives might easily be misinterpreted, and we would not wish Berlin access problems to become a source of friction and misunderstanding between the FRG and ourselves.

3. We understand that FRG authorities are not planning to resume Bundestag plenary meetings or Defense Committee meetings in Berlin, which we agree should be avoided. Dept would appreciate any information that Embassy may obtain that would indicate any changes in FRG plans in these matters.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files,POL 28 GER B. Secret. Drafted by Johnpoll and Landfair, cleared by Toon and Stoessel, and approved by Leddy. Repeated to Berlin, London, Moscow, Paris, and USNATO.
2. Telegram 1399 from Berlin, May 3, reported the views of CDU leaders on Berlin access issues. (Ibid., POL 38)