762A.6/5–2852: Telegram
No. 542
The Acting Secretary
of State to the Office of the United
States High Commissioner for Germany, at Bonn1
3413. For Reber from Riddleberger. Pass CINCEUR and CINC USAFE. We are informed Secy has discussed with you White House conference in which need for building up Berlin stockpile was considered priority matter. Minimum 12 months staggered stockpiling plan is essential element in Dept’s thinking and in NSC discussions mentioned by Secy. Six months balanced stockpile considered insufficient.
Air urgently preparing study airlift capabilities event blockade, and advance info on estimates indicates USAFE cld deliver to Berlin 1248 tons daily, which cld soon be increased to 4000, later 8080 tons daily if no Sov technical interference employed. This takes account present commitments in Korea but unforeseen developments might affect availability of aircraft.
You are requested spare no efforts speed stockpiling in Berlin of fuel and other items required in large quantities, with year’s staying power when supplemented by limited airlift, as initial goal. We wld expect Gers finance necessary additions to coal stockpile. However, these arrangements might involve delay which is not acceptable. Therefore, suggest you obtain Ger consent use of any committed but unreleased JEIA or FedRep investment funds now available until Gers make more permanent arrangements. In the event this impracticable we wld consent, though reluctantly, to temporary use portion uncommitted balance DM 265 million GARIOA funds previously set aside for Berlin investment program. Such use GARIOA funds must be on temporary basis and GARIOA account reimbursed in final stockpile financing arrangement or at least within ninety days. We wld prefer not use uncommitted funds in view possible prejudice Ger assumption financing responsibility.
We trust West Gers can be persuaded provide necessary train and barge capacity.2
- Drafted by Montenegro and cleared with Laukhuff, Margolies, MSA, and the Department of Defense. Repeated to Berlin.↩
- On May 31 Reber replied that HICOG was fully prepared to support the 12-month staggered stockpile idea, but mentioned that the French and British had been difficult on this idea in the past, and that every effort should be made to sell them and Germans on the need for the fullest cooperation in the undertaking. (Telegram 3174 from Bonn, May 31, 762A.6/5–3152) The following day he discussed the idea with Reuter who promised “to do his utmost to bring about full cooperation of [the Berlin] Senat and FedRep.” (Telegram 3180 from Bonn, June 1, 762A.6/6–152)↩