800.4614/8–1651: Telegram
The Director of the Berlin Element of HICOG (Jones) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt1
299. Reourtel 295 to Frankfort Aug 162 (public safety report). Fol pertinent intelligence gleaned from continuing interrogation many of 115 arrested FDJ marchers:
Between mid-day and 1300 Aug 15 FDJer chairman Erich Honecker broadcast rousing speech via loudspeakers to thousands of “reliable, hard-core” FDJers assembled at tent camp in Berlin Muggelsee, proclaiming militantly “we are going to accept the invitation of Mayor Reuter to visit West Berlin.” (See ourtel Frankfort 168, rptd Dept 144 Jul 313) immediately after Honecker’s fight talk, leaders of 50-man groups were drawn together for marching instructions, [Page 2013] which, presumably contemplated coordinated assembly and simultaneous 3-point penetration West Berlin.
Some 8,000 Muggelsee reliables were divided into regional units, namely Leipzig, Dresden, etc., and moved in segments to Treptow. There selected leaders rallied their 50-man groups, advising them to advance in formations of fives to distribute a handbill carrying excerpts from Walter Ulbricht’s inflammatory anti-West, anti-US speech of Aug 12 and to otherwise attempt to harass West Berliners. They were instructed to assemble at Karl Marx Platz (Kreuzberg) in US sector at 1800 hours. Propaganda leaflets handed to FDJers just before border crossing.
Questioning indicates other Muggelsee camp groups moved thru afternoon to assembly points near Berlin Weddingen (French sector) and Kottbusser Tor (Kreuzberg, US sector).
Supplementary ration allowance cards found on many of arrested FDJers gives credence report marchers were promised additional food, as well as 20 east marks apiece and privilege of remaining at festival thru Aug 18 conclusion. Interrogation, which done separately by HICOG public safety CIC and West Berlin police also bore out report invaders represented most dedicated and indoctrinated East Ger Commie youth. Defiant silence at outset interviews gradually broken down to reticent talking.
Disorders came at tag end of day which saw more than 60,000 east zone participants peacefully troup thru West Berlin youth centers, accepting western hospitality and orientation. Marching units included FDJers with cameras. Witneseses reported marching photographers were given adequate protection by colleagues to permit good picture coverage which already undoubtedly being utilized by Commie propaganda apparatus to establish “real” nature of west welcome, thus discouraging further influx which since opening of festival has run to over half-million FDJers.
West Berlin police acted quickly and decisively, with no allied constabulary involved, although French gendarmerie present in background of incident French sector.
Likely that huge friendly visitation FDJers to West for myriad reasons including deficiencies festival plans and logistics for East Gers, prompted drastic, dramatic attempt to halt inflow and end western exposure. Some FDJers questioned indicated disturbance mission was first intended for East Ger Commie Party (SED), and FDJ chosen when SED reneged. Possible that FDJ chief Honecker solicited assignment to assist in re-establishing his leadership which severely criticized for inadequate food arrangements and propaganda programming which apparently encouraged great masses east FDJers to visit West Berlin. Honecker was key organizer of festival and earlier reports asserted he was being sacked for poor performance.
[Page 2014]Group carried leaflets headed, “We Are Coming at Reuter’s Invitation—a word on responsibility of Ger Youth”. Addressed to “dear young friends,” in which Ger people “and especially Ger Youth” were described as primarily responsible for maintenance of peace, leaflet carried seven-point program outlined by DDR Deputy Minister-President Ulbricht.
In effect an appeal for active resistance to West Ger defense efforts, program inter alia calls on youth to frustrate preparations for “explosive demolition” of bridges and buildings; fight against weight of armament expenditures imposed on Ger people; increase mass agitation and to this end mobilize workers in all plants as well as members of mass orgs; develop widest possible protest movement against introduction of military service law; refuse to tolerate mtgs and conferences of Fascist officers orgs; and organize resistance to military service in any form, etc. Penultimate slogan reads: “Away With Adenauer Govt—Govt of War Preparations; Away With Adenauer Govt—vassal of Amer Armament Millionaires.”
In conclusion leaflet proclaims undying character of “peace-loving, partriotic youth in battle for unified, democratic and independent Ger Fatherland.”
Incidentally, all Reuter speeches and utterances have avoided invitation per se to Welt Jugend Festspiele participants, but have stressed welcome West Berlin prepared extend youth coming peacefully with peaceful intentions.
- Repeated to Washington. The source text is the copy in the Department of State files.↩
- Not printed; it reported that at 5 p. m. on August 15 an estimated 11,000 uniformed members of the FDJ invaded the French and U.S. sectors of Berlin attempting to demonstrate and march in formation. The Berlin police, using night sticks and water throwers, succeeded in dispersing them and arrested 115, including a member of the Volkspolizei. Interrogation of those arrested indicated a preconceived plan of invading West Berlin under the pretext of accepting Mayor Renter’s invitation to visit the Western sectors of the city. (800.4614/8–1651)↩
- Not printed.↩