Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Central and Southeastern Europe, Volume XXVI

198. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Germany¹

Washington, May 8, 1957—6:03 p.m.

3160. Paris pass Ambassador Bruce. Bonn’s 4314 rptd Berlin 505 Paris 836 USAREUR 595 pouched Moscow, London.² In absence contrary views USBER, which possibly in best position evaluate tactical merits of various suggested approaches by Berlin political advisers to Kotsiuba and latter’s probable reactions, Department has following suggestions re alternative courses of action outlined reftel:

1. We agree with Embassy re disadvantages course III and would favor eliminating it from consideration.

2. Only substantial difference between courses I and II appears that in former we would present to Kotsiuba at time initial approach “rough” copies of tripartitely agreed travel orders and new passport stamps whereas in latter we would merely describe these orally in general terms. Possible disadvantage latter course is likelihood that Kotsiuba, in absence any specific document on which he could focus, would be unwilling take any position which would be meaningful and that he would merely state he could not comment until he had seen actual documents. This would leave us just where we were before approach made. Furthermore, while we agree we should avoid any indication we are submitting documents for Soviet approval rather than purely for information, it is at least conceivable, bearing in mind difficulties Soviets have had in past with certain aspects our Russian translations of travel orders, that Kotsiuba might make some suggestions of technical character re form or wording of documents not affecting substantive issues involved which could actually be helpful.

3. Department therefore sees some advantage course I, which could be combined with certain specific aspects enumerated under course II such as II–a, II–b (depending on resolution British problem) and II–d.

4. Believe approach to Kotsiuba on above basis should be made soon as possible. Hope it will not take “at least several weeks” to work out in rough form new travel orders to show Kotsiuba, despite problems involved in tripartite coordination Bonn and Berlin as well as with military headquarters.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221/5–5857. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Creel, cleared by Eleanor Dulles and the Department of Defense, and approved by Lisle. Repeated to Berlin, London, Moscow, and Paris.
2. Document 196.