201. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany0
203. Following based on uncleared memorandum of conversation.1
When Alphand called on Secretary July 13 on Congo, he raised question Bundestag meeting in Berlin. He said Khrushchev Vienna [Page 539] speech2 on this subject had not changed French position of opposition to holding such session. French still considered meeting could serve as pretext for Soviets pressing forward on separate peace treaty for East Germany. He thought we could meet allegations not holding meeting was sign of weakness by concurrently making strong statement regarding Western rights in Berlin. He said he thought three Western powers should approach Germans to influence them not to hold session which French thought would have very serious repercussions.
Secretary said he thought holding these meetings in Berlin had become routine affairs. He believed Germans had reached no decision yet but were discussing matter. Secretary asked if French had already given their views unilaterally to Germans yet. Alphand replied French had not spoken to Germans as they wished establish tripartite position first. Secretary noted if Germans did not hold session, they would presumably say they had acted on advice of Western powers. He concluded that we should discuss this matter further.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762A.21/7–1360. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted and approved by McBride and cleared in S/S. Repeated to Bonn and London.↩
- A copy of this memorandum is ibid.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 200.↩