London Embassy files, lot 59 F 59, 350 Germany 9/17
The Director of the Berlin Element (Jones) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt1
priority
498. From Morgan. Further on GDR proposal for “All-German Conference, based on September 16 East press (our 494 to Frankfurt September 15 repeated Department 416, Bonn 182, Paris 146, London 87, Moscow 992):
Volkskammer adopted two appeals, one “to Bundestag of Federal Republic Germany”, one “to all Germans! to all German democratic parties and organizations!”, in response to Grotewohl presentation of government declaration.3 Second appeal echoes first and urges universal support. Essential proposal is for Bundestag and Volkskammer to hold “common all-German conference” of “representatives of East and West Germany” “as soon as possible in Berlin, capital of Germany”. Two tasks to be accomplished by it: (1) decide on holding elections for National Assembly to create “unified, democratic, peace-loving Germany”, (2) demand early conclusion German peace treaty, subsequent withdrawal all occupation troops.
Comment: While some concession made to previous Federal Republic position on all-German elections (“conference” at least verbally breaks with “constituent council” idea, dropping claim to set up provisional government before elections), no reference made to Bundestag March 9 resolution or to Federal Republic insistence that Four Powers settle conditions of election and establish international safeguards, which Grotewohl violently rejected March 14. Also no indication such points now acceptable. Grotewohl stressed German unification is German affair, not to be solved by outsiders.
Though in reference to previous proposals for “parity” representation Grotewohl said number of representatives “not of fundamental importance”, context makes plain that “conference” would have no power override GDR delegates.
No new concessions offered on nature of elections. “Free, secret”, etc., merely repeats language used January 30 (also formerly applied [Page 1781] to notorious October 15 elections4). Stipulated that “democratic organizations” as well as parties have right offer own lists of candidates and form election blocks (thus paving way for perpetuation GDR bloc system). Politburo member Matern added in Volkskammer “debate” that proportional representation must be used, ban of FDJ and Commie press dropped, “blitz law” abolished in Western Germany.
Even though no governmental powers claimed by “conference” some would inevitably be exercised by it in deciding electoral system and setting up machinery. Proposed use as mouthpiece to demand peace treaty also indicates prospective exploitation as “all-German” organization.
Represents no softening of basic “national resistance” line; rather intended stir up popular current against Bonn regime, get Germans “take matters in own hands”.
Despite above points, proposal contains enough specious concessions to deserve careful scrutiny for effect on West German and other West opinion. Today’s East press already claiming Bonn seriously embarrassed because Adenauer’s previous terms now met. Grotewohl also made broad play on French fear of German militarism. [Morgan.]
- Repeated to Washington, Paris, London, Moscow, and Bonn. The source text is the copy in the Department of State files.↩
- Not printed; it transmitted a brief summary of the Volkskammer proposals and commented “‘conference’ may be constituent council in informal sheep’s clothing but offer to put discussion of all-German elections first represents additional bait for getting ‘Germans at one table’”. The Berlin Element concluded that the “intent to delay German armament obvious”. (London Embassy files, lot 59 F 59, 350 Germany 9/15)↩
- For the texts of the two Volkskammer appeals and extracts from Grotewohl’s presentation, see Documents on German Unity, vol. i, pp. 196–201, or Efforts Made to Re-establish the Unity of Germany, pp. 37–40.↩
- For documentation on the elections in the “German Democratic Republic” on October 15, 1950, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. iv, pp. 590 ff.↩