331. Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Herter at Geneva0
Tocah 48. For Secretary from Acting Secretary. I met with the President this evening and we discussed Secto 105.1 President assumes it is your intention that Couve in his meeting Monday with Gromyko would simply sound out with him idea of private meetings for further discussion with subjects now before the Conference and would not explore with him possible requirements for a Summit meeting along lines third para Secto 105. The President indicated that while he is willing as he told Macmillan2 to be generous in his definition of progress such progress should directly relate to Berlin situation which has been cause of crisis. In particular, he does not feel that an agreement by Soviets to recommence disarmament negotiations in an appropriate forum would be sufficient reason to accept a Summit meeting.
[Page 758]The President looks forward to getting first hand report from you on your return including opportunity to discuss future progress of conference.
Re last para of Secto 105 Dept points out that idea of assurance from Soviets that they would take no unilateral action with respect to West Berlin for a period of time was originally a German idea in which we have never seen much virture. Therefore, Dept would prefer to see it dropped entirely if Germans are willing and rely instead on assumption that they would take no such action and your statement that the President, would not negotiate under duress at a Summit Conference.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.11–HE/5–2459. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Dillon.↩
- See the source note, Document 325.↩
- Reference is to Eisenhower’s discussion of Berlin with Macmillan, March 19–23; see Documents 234–241.↩