762B.02/3–3154: Telegram
No. 770
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in the United
Kingdom1
5081. Recent Soviet move in granting so-called sovereignty to, East Zone German Democratic Republic (GDR) has potentially serious implications and may give rise to variety of complications. Department is urgently studying this question in order formulate guidance for HICOG in reaching coordinated tripartite positions. Meanwhile it appears likely that Soviets, GDR, and satellite states will increase efforts in every way possible to obtain official recognition of GDR as an independent state. It is in joint Allied interest that this be avoided and that Missions of three powers in other countries exert any appropriate influence to this end with governments to which they are accredited.
Department accordingly suggests that objection to recognition of GDR be again impressed on other governments, as we have done twice already. See Circular Airgrams of February 10, 1950, 12:45 PM and November 19, 1952, 7:30 PM.2 Consult respective Foreign Offices soonest and inform Department their reactions. Discussion with other governments might go along following lines: Although recognition juridically within competence each Government to decide for itself, and there may be strong temptation for certain [Page 1683] states to grant recognition either for trade advantages or in accord with neutralist policy, there are strong political reasons why any anti-communist Government should refrain. GDR’s “sovereignty” is facade for satellite regime without any popular support (witness riots of June 17). It makes reunification of Germany considerably more difficult and remote, and in fact appears have been undertaken by Soviets in large part as move to mask their determination prevent unification. Recognition of GDR would amount to an embarrassment and affront to Federal Republic which we consider only German Government freely and legitimately constituted and therefore entitled to speak for Germany as the representative of German people in international affairs.
British and French might also be asked whether they share our view Federal Republic should be urged associate itself with Allied démarches this matter. Federal Republic should make its position clear promptly to accredited representatives Bonn.
- Drafted by Auchincloss and cleared with Beale, Thurston, Kidd, Lyon, and Elbrick. Repeated to Paris for action and to Bonn, Berlin, and Moscow for information.↩
- For the circular airgram of Feb. 10, 1950, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. iv, p. 942; for the circular airgram of Nov. 19, 1952, see Document 705.↩