Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

762.0221/5–2952: Telegram

No. 543
The Acting United States High Commissioner for Germany (Reber) to the Department of State¹

secret
priority

Bonn, May 29, 1952—3 p.m.

3151. Toward end maintaining close coordination on Berlin and preparing protests within framework FM instructions,² Ad Hoc Committee of Deputy High Commissioners has been created and held initial mtg yesterday. We shall at least once weekly and during present emergency will remain in constant contact.

At yesterday’s mtg we agreed on text of individual 1trs to Chuikov from HICOMers to be forwarded tomorrow (text sent in next numbered tel³) and also to prepare for forwarding tomorrow general protest on developments in Sov Zone and Berlin of last two weeks⁴ (impossible act sooner because of absence today of UK and Fr HICOMs). Fr undertaking to redraft initial US draft to be cleared today and sent without referring back to capitals. Contents will recount moves of Sovs–GDR from May 15 forward, will specifically mention and protest closing of border crossings, interruption in telecommunications, publication of GDR ordinances pertaining to border controls and new regulations for travel within Sov Zone of non-GDR residents, and creation of devastated area along border. We propose that ltr shall have strong propaganda flavor and note that actions complained of belies Sov protestations in favor Ger unity. Such actions will be generally characterized as in contravention of Potsdam.

UK reported on Sov departure from radio station in UK sector in Berlin, together with former Ger properties and valuable record collection. It was generally concluded that nothing cld be done and that under peculiar circumstances obtaining protest inappropriate. We noted that matter had not been especially helped by Mayor Reuter’s statement that he welcomed Sov departure “and hoped they wld take bag and baggage” with them.

Ward reported that observations along UK Zone border indicated Sovs intend to create devastated area along border for ostensible purposes sealing off Sov Zone. He reported that trees had been uprooted, brush cleared and designated areas (some believe to lie within UK Zone) plowed.

Reber

1. Repeated to Berlin, London, Paris, and Moscow.
2. See telegram 924, May 28, Document 540.
3. Telegram 3152 from Bonn, May 29. (762.0221/5–2952) The letters protested Soviet stoppage of the military police patrols on the Autobahn.
4. The general protest was transmitted to Chuikov on May 30. (Telegram 3158 from Bonn, May 29, 762.0221/5–2952) It protested Soviet interruption of access and communications to Berlin and various allegations made in an ordinance dated May 26 which was published by the German Democratic Republic.