740.00119 Control (Germany)/3–2048: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
651. Allied Control Council 82nd meeting, March 20, held at request Soviet chairman (comment: March 17 Coordinating Committee having found no regular business for ACC agenda), in order discuss further Prague declaration by Czechoslovakian, Polish and Yugoslav Governments on Germany as well as results recent London tripartite conference.1
Western delegates again refused discuss Prague declaration (mytel 519, March 72), emphasizing question handled at governmental level and its propaganda nature. Among other things, Soviet member charged this action again proved western powers do not seriously regard Control Council as quadripartite organ of government for [Page 884] Germany, but merely as suitable screen to hide their unilateral actions western Germany. Soviet member withdrew item from agenda.
Soviet member then demanded that colleagues should inform Control Council fully regarding decisions taken London Conference and directives they had received as result. Considerable discussion followed in which among other things British member charged Soviet with failure advise ACC of unilateral actions taken his zone, and both British and US delegates emphasized provisional nature London Conference and fact that it had only made recommendations to governments concerned, as result of which no “directives” had as yet been received. Soviet member was also assured he would be informed fully when such directives received.
Finally, Soviet member stated that, due refusal Western powers give information required regarding London Conference, he was forced to make statement (comment: reading prepared statement which presumably constituted real purpose call this ACC meeting).3 Sokolovsky then charged London decisions concerned questions within Control Council’s jurisdiction, and western powers refusal discuss them indicated desire avoid revealing tripartite agreement reached London, contrary Potsdam, which would prevent establishment peaceful democratic Germany. Situation is being created in which only Soviet delegate informs Control Council regarding his zone. Thus other delegates proving they have broken away from Control Council machinery on Germany, taking upon themselves responsibility for consequences. This proves he said Control Council no longer exists as organ of government. Actions resulting from unilateral London decisions cannot be recognized as legal. Stating that he saw no sense in continuing “today’s meeting,” Sokolovsky declared it adjourned. (Comment: at this point entire Soviet delegation left conference room, following which a short discussion occurred in which three western powers agreed chairman’s unilateral action terminating meeting was improper.)4
Sent to Department as 651; repeated to Paris as 109, to London as 82, to Moscow as 76.
- For documentation regarding the Praha Declaration of Foreign Ministers of February 18, see telegram 158, February 18, from Praha, pp. 339 ff.↩
- Not printed, but see the editorial note, p. 356.↩
- For the text of Marshal Sokolovsky’s statement, see The Soviet Union and the Berlin Question, pp. 18–20, or Carlyle, Documents on International Affairs, pp. 574–575.↩
- For General Clay’s account of this meeting, see Clay, Decision in Germany, pp. 355–357.↩