Office of the Historian

Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 211: Telegram

No. 344
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Delegation at the Berlin Conference
top secret
priority
Washington, January 22, 1954—1:17 p.m.

Tosec 10. Summary No. 1.

[Here follows a summary of developments in the Far East, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.]

Following intelligence summary:

Available indications fail suggest any forthcoming change in known Soviet positions at Berlin. (1) Soviet propaganda continues [Page 783] high sustained attention. Like buildup before 1951 talks,1 Moscow press daily takes up one aspect international problems and represents standard attacks against US position and reiterated Soviet position as outlined November 3 note.2 USSR shows preoccupation with question German militarization and what it calls “policy dividing Europe” as allegedly symbolized by EDC. Basic Soviet argument: task of conference to reduce international tensions; to accomplish this necessary to work out European security, and for this necessary solve German problem along lines advocated by USSR. Moscow characteristically shuns prediction outcome Berlin talks, although prepares public for difficulties by citing Western press reports alleged US intentions torpedo meeting. In essence Moscow pictures meeting as “opportunity” for relaxation, with responsibility on West to seize it. (2) In private conversations Soviet diplomats have generally given no cause except modification in Soviet position, but have stressed particularly to French community interest of European countries regarding German problem and argued all-European security arrangement would make EDC unnecessary.

Indicative of Soviet intentions toward Germany is series reports that last October tour duty Soviet officers in Germany extended from three to five years. Since late October dependents of officers have been arriving in Germany and Austria. Requisitioning housing facilities reported in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bucharest.

[Here follows a brief summary of reaction to Secretary Dulles’ speech on January 12.]

Smith
  1. Reference is to the Deputy Foreign Ministers meetings at Paris, Mar. 5–June 21, 1951.↩
  2. Document 280.↩