Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 192
No. 388
Minutes of a Meeting of the
Tripartite Working Group, Berlin, January 30, 1954, 10:30
a.m.
BER MIN–7
- Present
- United States
- Mr. MacArthur
- France
- M. Seydoux
- United Kingdom
- Sir Frank Roberts
- United States
1. Tactics for Today.
Alternative A. It was agreed that M. Bidault as chairman would open the meeting by suggesting that the question of East and West German participation be formalized. Mr. Eden would state briefly that he did not agree with the Soviet proposal. If Mr. Molotov makes a short speech indicating his position of the day before, Mr. Dulles will merely concur with Mr. Eden’s views. Mr. Bidault will summarize the status of the question and proceed to make his speech on Germany. Mr. Eden will not make the speech at that time and Mr. Dulles will follow Mr. Molotov with the prepared statement in support of the UK proposal.
Alternative B. If Mr. Molotov in the first round replies to the question of GDR representation with a lengthy speech, Mr. Dulles may wish to give his long statement on Germany at that time. At the close of this statement Mr. Dulles would state his views on the GDR representation question.
It was hoped that a statement from the Federal Government would be forthcoming before the meeting today which would confirm the fact that the Federal Republic did not wish to come to the Four-Power meetings and would support the UK proposal. Sir F. Hoyer Millar would inform the delegations if this were received at the time of the 2:40 meeting.1
If Mr. Molotov proposes a restricted meeting on Germany, the tripartite position should be that since there has been a full exchange of views on the other problems slated for the restricted meeting there should also be a full exchange on Germany before going into a restricted session on that subject.
If Mr. Molotov raises the question of the time of the restricted session, it was suggested the three western ministers propose Wednesday or Thursday (not Friday when Mr. Molotov is in the [Page 889] chair). If Molotov does not raise this question today the three Ministers should discuss the matter on Monday in the Tripartite meeting in the ACA building. The restricted session will be a substitute for the regular plenary session.
2. Procedural Matters.
- (a)
- The Working Group will continue to meet at the British headquarters.
- (b)
- Preliminary tripartite ministerial meetings will be held in the ACA building at 2:30 p.m. when no tripartite lunch precedes a quadripartite session, unless decided otherwise.
- (c)
- Following Mr. Molotov’s chairmanship on Monday, rotation of the chairmanship will start anew. (This means that Mr. Eden would lose his turn.)
- (d)
- Colonel Black will arrange with M. Broustra and Mr. Williams to attend Working Group meeting on disarmament.
- (e)
- The experts preparing the proposed all-German Electoral Law have finished the first part which concerns elections and will report to the Working Group next week.
- (f)
- Since the U.S. High Commissioner will be in the chair on Monday it was assumed by Sir Frank that Dr. Conant would take on responsibility for consultations with the Benelux representatives. Mr. Morris will prepare a memorandum for Dr. Conant informing him of this matter.
3. Declaration of Intent.
With regard to the Declaration of Intent, it was agreed that: (1) the three principals of the Working Group would attempt to get agreement from their ministers regarding the substance of the document;2 (2) the Working Group would continue work on the revision of the alternative preamble; and (3) the Working Group will discuss this paper on Monday or Tuesday of next week in the light of Soviet opening moves on Item 2 of the Agenda.3