74. Editorial Note
In telegram 2887 from Moscow, May 24, 1961, Ambassador Thompson reported that the previous evening Chairman Khrushchev had told him that “if no agreement [is] reached on Berlin they [Soviet Union] would sign separate peace treaty in fall or winter after [West] German elections and probably after [Soviet] Party Congress. This would end our occupation rights and East Germans would control communications. He realized this would bring period of great tension but he was convinced would not lead to war.” For text of telegram 2887, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume XIV, pages 66–69.