217. Telegram From the Mission at Berlin to the Department of State0
207. For the Secretary from Dowling. Mytel 205 from Berlin.1 I hope most serious consideration will be given to possibility of the President visiting Berlin for Freedom Bell anniversary. I am aware of the complexities and difficulties involved, and I can appreciate arguments against it, but at same time I am conscious of need for some further and perhaps even dramatic action on our part to offset present danger of erosion of Allied position in Berlin, and I can think of nothing else we in West could do which would so well demonstrate our determination to live up to our commitments and also bring home to Soviets and East Germans how dangerous it would be to pursue course which they now seem bent on pursuing. It seems to be also that in circumstances there would be no need for the President to make other stops, and indeed I think visit would be especially effective if he came only to Berlin (and in response to invitation from Berlin in Senat rather than FedRep). Visit would at one and same time give renewed courage to Berliners, instill courage in our Allies, and renew confidence in American leadership.
You know from your own visit here in 19592 how tremendous the President’s reception would be. And I am confident that favorable repercussions [Page 583] which would ensue, as regards world opinion as well as German and Berlin response, would extend far beyond boundaries of Berlin problem alone.
I hope you will understand that it is on these grounds that I urge favorable consideration for what in ordinary circumstances might appear unimportant and perhaps even impractical idea.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/9–2260. Confidential; Priority. Repeated priority to Bonn.↩
- Dated September 22, telegram 205 from Berlin reported that Brandt had sent to the West German Foreign Ministry an invitation for President Eisenhower to visit Berlin. (Ibid.)↩
- See vol. VIII, Document 478.↩