Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Berlin Crisis, 1959–1960; Germany; Austria, Volume IX

289. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany⁰

Washington, March 5, 1960, 2:18 p.m.

1908. Paris for USCINCEUR, Thurston and Finn and USRO. Dept’s 1860 to Bonn rptd London 6479, Paris 3601, Moscow 1797, Berlin 426, USAREUR unn, CINCUSAREUR’s SX 1932 to Bonn rptd Dept State and Defense, Bonn’s 1663 (CINCUSAREUR’s SX 1977), Bonn’s 1672 rptd Berlin 586 Moscow 233 London 424 Paris 585 USAREUR 210.¹ Informed British and French here today that our position is that Sov Mission to US Forces, Frankfurt should be restricted as of 1100 hours March 11 provided no satisfactory Sov response to Commander’s letter Feb. 19² received prior that time.

Restriction Mission should be carried out by order CINCUSAREUR on basis approval by Embassy Bonn.

Restriction should be accomplished without publicity. Hope be able inform FonOff Bonn and NAC our intentions March 9.

Do not anticipate question legal authority for restriction will arise but if it does suggest ref Article 2 Convention on Relations³ and Huebner-Malinin Agreement which accredits Sov Mission to CINCUSAREUR would be adequate response.

Notice might appropriately be given in form of map (similar to that received by USMLM and BRIXMIS (SX 1977) containing “goose egg” restricting entire area US military responsibility (with exception of area up to “X” kms from Mission quarters) effective immediately and until further notice. If preferable, method notification employed by French would be acceptable.

British Embassy says present position is not to enforce restrictions on Sov Missions but to send severe reminder to Sovs that reply still forthcoming. We urged British to join us in action proposed above and requested that London issue appropriate instructions to Bonn by Monday or as soon as possible thereafter. If British still refuse, request Embassy advise us urgently.⁴

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221/3–360. Secret; Priority. Drafted by McFarland, cleared by Hillenbrand and the Department of Defense, and approved by Kohler. Repeated to Berlin, CINCUSAREUR Heidelberg, London, Paris, and Moscow.
1. Telegram 1860 to Bonn, February 27, stated that the Department of State was considering restriction of the Soviet Mission, but wanted British cooperation. (Ibid., 762.0221/2–2560) SX 1932 has not been found. Telegram 1663 from Bonn, March 2, transmitted the coordinates of an area in East Germany which had been put off-limits to Western personnel. (Ibid., 762.0221/3–260) In telegram 1672 from Bonn, March 3, Dowling reiterated his recommendation that the Soviet Mission at Frankfurt be restricted and that if this action elicited no reply, that the Soviet Government be approached. (Ibid., 762.0221/3–360)
2. See footnote 2, Document 287.
3. For text of the Convention on Relations, signed May 26, 1952, at Bonn and amended October 23, 1954, see Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, Vol. VII, Part 1, pp. 112–118.
4. Since no reply was received by the Western Powers to their February 19 letters, the United Kingdom and United States on March 11 restricted the movements of the Soviet Mission. France had previously limited the movement of the Soviet Mission to its headquarters.