Office of the Historian

387. Telegram From the Delegation to the Foreign Ministers Meeting to the Department of State0

Geneva, June 12, 1959, 10 p.m.

Secto 234. Following Secretary’s lunch for Brandt June 12, von Brentano brought up as expected question of Berlin as site for convening Federal Assembly in July. He distributed to Couve, Lloyd and Secretary copies of letter he had received previous day from Gerstenmaier,1 substance of which was that unless Western powers objected he would incline to selection Berlin. Discussion was prolonged with Brandt emphasizing failure to select Berlin would lower city’s spirits and encourage Soviets and DDR to believe that West retreated under threats. The Secretary, Couve and Lloyd all made clear their unhappiness over opinions attributed to them arising out of discussions this subject several weeks ago with von Brentano. Three Western Ministers refused express opinion and insisted that as purely domestic matter for German decision it was none of their affair. During the conversation the Secretary made clear his own view now for attribution that if Berlin were selected it was entirely acceptable to him.2

Herter

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762A.00/6–1259. Secret. Repeated to Berlin and Bonn.↩
  2. A translation of this letter is ibid., Conference Files: Lot 64 D 560, CF 1384.↩
  3. In a subsequent telegram the U.S. Delegation noted that the discussion during and after the luncheon was on conference developments, and that Brandt reported West Berlin spirit was excellent. (Secto 236 from Geneva, June 12; ibid., CF 1314)↩