740.00119 Control (Germany)/9–3048: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
us urgent
3891. For Bohlen. We all agree that reservation in final para of our last note2 to Soviets entitles us to take necessary measures to maintain our position in Berlin (Moscow’s 417 to Paris3). On the other hand we have distinct reservations regarding several specific enumerated points in Moscow message since we feel that until Berlin question is clarified in UN we should refrain from actions which might be considered provocative in character. In our opinion our future actions in Berlin should be confined to those which are immediately required for maintenance our position there.
We understand point 1 is now under discussion between Berlin and interdepartmental technical committee here and we are confident that US military governor has given adequate consideration to points 2 and 4 in light of present needs. We look with disfavor on formal establishment now of 3 power Kommandatura (point 3) since we believe that necessary coordination of control can be undertaken informally for the time being. Re point 5 we strongly advise against any direct action now interfering with Berlin radio station since this would be sure to provoke violent Soviet action. Re last point we do not exclude future arrests US zone Communist leaders by way of reprisal for arrest of Berlin democratic leaders but we consider this should be undertaken on basis presentation of legal case against US zone Communists and after checking with Washington, giving however the US military commander authority to deal on the ground with situations of the character which must be handled promptly.