762.022/5–3052: Telegram
No. 544
The Acting Secretary
of State to the Office of the United
States High Commissioner for Germany, at Bonn1
3443. Limited distribution. Dept appreciates importance effective propaganda designed to strengthen morale of West Berliners in face Sov moves re Berlin. Dept agrees with analysis in Bonn’s 3001, May 22,2 and believes that major propaganda task is to contribute to maintenance steady nerves, calm minds, orderly routine on part West Berliners. If they present unshaken attitude in face harassments on present scale, possible Sov moves will be at least partially frustrated.
Task involves continuation of present propaganda built on three major reassuring themes, to be exploited concurrently.
One, the occupying powers are determined to defend Berlin, as made plain in tripartite declaration3 and separate statements by Sec and Eden.
Two, the occupying powers continue to seek unification of Germany in freedom as goal of their policy, as clearly stated in notes to USSR. However, Sov position only offers unification on Sov terms under present circumstances. They are therefore convinced that they must proceed with strengthening of West, notably EDC, as quickly as possible, in order that unification with freedom may later be achieved.
Three, the Western powers maintain belief that this objective and others shared with West Berliners can be achieved by peaceful means; they are not disturbed by Commie threats and alarms from [Page 1256] whatever source and they have repeatedly demonstrated willingness for serious negotiations with Sovs. Sov-Com harassments are bound to fail. They will not deter the free world in its effort to strengthen its unity and defenses. Rather, they will provide further convincing evidence, if such were required, of the need for this vital undertaking.
Dept believes exploitation inconsistency between Sov harassments and Sov professions peace more effective in areas other than Berlin itself. In Berlin, as Bonn’s 3001 suggests, concentration propaganda fire on Sov actions wld contribute their war nerves. When necessary to refer to Sov actions, Dept believes they shld be treated as indicated in paras A, B, C, E, F of Bonn’s 3001. Paras D and G support three major reassurance themes set forth above.
Wld appreciate whatever further comments addition to urtel 3001, you may wish to make.
Review of propaganda themes employed during blockade in 1948/49 indicates no useful themes other than those already set forth above.
- Drafted by Schwinn (PA) and Straus and cleared with GPA, GER, P, and S/S. Repeated to Berlin.↩
- Document 147.↩
- Regarding the tripartite declaration, see Document 537.↩