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

199. Telegram From the Embassy in Germany to the Department of State¹

Bonn, May 15, 1957—8 p.m.

4439. Reference Department telegram 3160 May 8 and Berlin’s 962 May 9.² Tripartite discussions on course to follow with Kotsiuba were suspended by British pending consultation with their political adviser Berlin who was due here this week. He strongly advocated course along lines III.³ and Embassy support them. French meanwhile had accepted Department’s proposal for I combined with parts of II and British today finally yielded. Following is redrafted paper now tripartitely agreed:

Begin text:

1. Political advisers should see Kotsiuba, together if possible, and tell him that:

(a) They consider documentation now in use is still valid and conforms with long-established practice. However, since there seems to have been confusion on part of Soviet control personnel because of differing forms of travel orders and stamps, it has been agreed that an attempt could be made to achieve greater uniformity; also that issuing agencies and persons authorized to sign could be limited long lines he suggested.

(b) Rough copies of new forms and stamps have been brought for his information including new stamp to be inserted in passports of those travelling on orders issued by Ambassadors.

(c) These new forms and stamps will be introduced as soon as necessary administrative arrangements have been made and he will be informed later of date of introduction. He will also be given finished samples of them, and of the signatures, before they are actually introduced so that he may instruct his checkpoint personnel accordingly. Meanwhile present documentation will continue to be used and Soviets are expected to continue honoring it.

2. As circumstances may require or as political advisers consider desirable, they may tell Kotsiuba (a) they see no point in having German as well as Russian translation of travel orders, which are designed solely for Soviet authorities and not for Germans; and (b) new forms and stamps afford adequate indication of “purpose of travel” and “nature of duties” of traveller.

3. If Kotsiuba says that he will give Russian comments later on new documentation he should be told that samples were being given him for his information and not for his approval. If necessary, he should be told that it is for issuing agencies to decide what travel orders should be issued; also that new documentation clearly shows that travellers have authority of these issuing agencies.

4. If Kotsiuba insists that documentation must have Soviet approval before being introduced, political advisers should state they can only report his attitude to their governments, since it is in direct contravention of basic right, repeatedly reaffirmed by himself as well as by Pushkin, of Ambassadors and military commanders to determine authorization for travel to Berlin. End text.

Since this conforms with instructions contained reftel, assume Department agrees.

Before approach can be made to Kotsiuba rough copies of revised forms, etc., must be prepared. Tripartitely agreed position on this being cabled separately.⁴

Bruce

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221/5–1557. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Berlin, London, Paris, and Moscow.
2. Telegram 3160 is printed supra. Regarding telegram 962, repeated to the Department of State as 1085, see footnote 6, Document 196.
3. The courses referred to in this paragraph are those outlined in telegram 4314, Document 196.
4. The five-point position paper on the travel orders was transmitted in telegram 4454 from Bonn, May 16. (Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221/5–1657)