No. 732
The Secretary of
State to the Office of the United
States High Commissioner for Germany, at
Bonn1
224. Washington wishes to push food for East Zone along two lines recognizing two different groups of problems:
One, with respect to action in Germany to make food available all possible caution must be observed to see that no existing channel is impaired, no intermediary is endangered, and access through Berlin not further restricted. Specific arrangements in this matter must be developed in Germany and Washington should be informed while leaving decisions in this field to you.
Two, consistent with above and we hope, facilitating achievement of humanitarian objectives, a second note should be addressed to the USSR. This note should again stress firm determination and practical measures and to relieve distress. It should ask USSR to make specific proposals without indicating our readiness to accept any particular type of proposal in advance. In general, efforts should be to keep matter alive and at each stage to indicate practical capabilities and sympathy for people in need.
Three, as a means of increasing sharpness of challenge and evidencing desire of practical steps, we are suggesting a member of your staff meet with member of staff of Soviet High Commissioner at date acceptable to you on or near July 22.
In all our communications we should stress humanitarian aspects of offer and not political.
Your comments on above paragraphs will be studied to determine what modifications in this procedure are desirable and whether or not note is suitable for immediate delivery. Plans for release if possible July 20.
Suggested text of note next following message.2
- Source: Drafted by Eleanor Dulles and cleared with Lewis, Huyler, Straus, and Thurston of State and Jackson of the White House. Repeated to Berlin and Moscow.↩
- Telegram 225 to Bonn, July 17, repeated to Berlin and Moscow, transmitting a draft letter to be delivered to the Soviet Government, is not printed. The letter expressed the President’s regret that the food offer had been rejected, renewed the invitation to joint U.S.-Soviet cooperation in the program, and declared that the United States had already begun the procurement and shipment of the food. (862B.49/7–1753)↩