Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 205
No. 387
Minutes of a Meeting of the United
States Delegation at the Berlin Conference, January 30, 1954,
9:30 a.m.
USDEL MIN–5
- Present: The Secretary
- Special Advisers
- Advisers
Molotov’s Dinner for the Secretary:
The Secretary reported briefly that all of his private and semi-private talks with Mr. Molotov, at the latter’s dinner, related to the U.S., political relationships to Communist China.1 The Secretary said he had agreed to meet Molotov after today’s quadripartite session to discuss a plan for discussion on atomic energy matters.2
Press Reactions:
Mr. Jackson reported that the general tenor of the U.S. press treatment was very good. By and large, comment on the meeting was favorable with praise for the conduct of the negotiations by the West. Mr. Tyler stated that the general tone of the French press continued to be good. In general, the French press felt the West had won a point in getting Molotov to discuss the German problem. There was no criticism of Mr. Bidault nor was there evidence of political pressure being applied.
Mr. Boerner characterized the German reaction as being that of the West forcing Molotov to debate on the German problem. The German Communist press played up the question of GDR representation at the meetings. Official German spokesmen in Bonn stated that the Eden plan for German reunification in freedom3 was clear and logical and had expressed objections to GDR representation. In general, the U.K. and French press briefings stressed the Eden proposals. The Soviet press briefings emphasized the question of GDR representation. He said that a Communist organization in the East Sector (The Committee on Unity) called a press conference yesterday which developed the line that the Federal Republic was embarking on a war of revenge. The Committee’s spokesman presented a program for creating conditions necessary for free elections. These conditions constitute the standard Communist charges (i.e. elimination of a standing army in West Germany, elimination of the revanchist clique, elimination of the militaristic press and propaganda agencies, etc.) and may indicate the new line which the Communist press may take on this issue.
Mr. Jackson stated that the stories filed last night by the correspondents developed the general theme that the West had won a victory in bringing the discussions to the German item; although paying tribute to Molotov’s negotiating skill. There is a general speculation on the reasons to explain why Molotov has folded so soon on the critical issues and what he may have up his sleeve.
[Page 887]Tripartite Working Group Meeting:
Mr. MacArthur announced that the Tripartite working group decided yesterday to establish a sub-group to deal with the disarmament question. The U.S. representative on this group will be Col. Black. Also the draft Declaration of Intent on the German Peace Treaty will be polished up in anticipation that it may be used in the future if the situation requires it. Mr. MacArthur said that the group would also explore tactics to be followed for this afternoon’s quadripartite session.
Mr. Jackson expressed the view that the tripartite working group should attempt to plan as complete a schedule as possible for next week, since security problems at the Unter den Linden Building would preclude Tripartite discussions there. Mr. MacArthur agreed and added that it might be possible for the three Ministers to meet at the ACA Building for consultation prior to proceeding to the sessions in the Unter den Linden Building.
Quadripartite Meeting:
The Secretary observed that the afternoon session would probably open with Molotov taking the position that the Ministers were still discussing the question of GDR representation. Therefore it must be established clearly that no agreement has been reached on this question. He believed that either Eden or Bidault should speak first and emphasize that no agreement had been reached in order to establish a solid position to which the three Ministers could return in the second round of discussions. He said that consideration should be given to tabling of a concrete proposal to establish the proper platform.
Mr. Freund inquired whether anything need be said on the Austrian question. The Secretary replied that, particularly in view of Bidault’s statement, we must insure that the Austrian question is not brought into the context of the German question.
The Secretary announced that he would meet with Messrs. Eden and Bidault at 2:40 PM today to discuss general tactics.4
- For reports on the dinner meeting with Molotov, see the notes by Jackson and the memorandum of conversation by Merchant, Documents 385 and 386.↩
- For a report on the discussion of atomic energy matters, see Dulte 23, Document 393.↩
- For this plan, see FPM(54)17, Document 510.↩
- No record of this meeting has been found in Department of State files.↩