862B.49/9–2453: Telegram
No. 753
The Acting United States High
Commissioner for Germany (Steere) to the Department of State1
1178. Reference Deptel 787, repeated Berlin 167.2 We discussed yesterday with Thedieck future plans for continuation of the Soviet zone aid program in an informal meeting. Meeting followed conversations with Thedieck few days ago when our plans along line reference telegram were indicated to him. We also know that he discussed matter with Reuter last week.
Thedieck presented Federal Republic and Berlin Senat positions on matter. He strongly urged that a “visible stop” should be made to present food program and that new aid measures should be developed slowly through appropriate expansion of already existing aid activities. Federal Republic and Berlin authorities now believe that from psychological and humanitarian viewpoint disadvantages of continued food program outweigh advantages. Thedieck pointed out greatly increased pressures on food recipients, i.e., dismissals, public exposures, etc., particularly emphasized serious nature of GDR interference with normal travel of Soviet-zoners to Berlin, which seriously detrimental for Berlin fulfilling its important role toward east. He also called our attention to increasingly critical comments in west, notably the position taken by Evangelisches Hilfswerk and reprinted in Sueddeutsche Zeitung, September 22 under headline “Don’t Gamble (Speculation) With Hunger,” and to unfriendly article in September issue of SPD bulletin Sopade. In view of above, he felt that primary concern should be relaxation of tension and restrictive measures in Soviet zone which they hoped to achieve through visible stoppage of aid program.
At our urging to consider advantages of continued aid and desirability of a central organization to plan and administer such aid, Thedieck indicated that Federal Republic is particularly anxious to expand package mailing program which is best practical way to reach large cross section of neediest Soviet zoners. This activity increased in last few months from 1.8 million to 2.4 million packages monthly and Federal Republic hopes that peak of 3.5–4 million packages can be reached by Christmas. Charitable organizations would be very happy with increased CRALOG shipments and part of US food aid could also be used. This activity is strictly dependent [Page 1652] on no publicity whatsoever. … But problem remains to work out satisfactory transition from present to new activity without endangering “visible stoppage.”
Announcement on clothing aid runs counter to the above line and since Adenauer seems to have handled it without informing Cabinet except at very late date, there was noticeable embarassment on Thedieck’s part. He stated, however, that CBS leak of few days ago more difficult to deal with than actual text of President’s letter.3 Government has obviously no plan how to deal with clothing aid, but Thedieck felt that appropriate clothing items (underwear rather than outer garments) could be included in package mailing scheme. Emphasized need for mixing, even possibility mixed food-clothing pack.
Meeting decided that Thedieck will submit Federal Republic views in writing. (Advance copy hoped for today.) We informed him that we plan to discuss matter with British and French Friday and that final position should be reached in meeting early next week. At that time decision should also be reached on handling publicity and until then no public statements shall be made.
We had no definite indication of British and French position yet. From working level British contact we understand that while British originally favorable to our suggestion, now consider establishment of new organization risky matter and that strong Allied controls would have to be worked out. This runs somewhat counter to our thinking.…
- Repeated to Berlin.↩
- Document 747.↩
- Supra.↩