89. Telegram From the Embassy in Denmark to the Department of State0
76. Eyes only for the Secretary from Ambassador Thompson. Reflecting upon my talk with Khrushchev have following conclusions:
(1) Am more convinced than ever that he at least does not intend push Berlin question to point of real risk of war. Much will depend, however, upon attitude his colleagues and allies as well as upon how we handle the matter. Believe line taken by President and your representation of our case at Geneva was just right but suggest we must be extremely careful on the one hand to show we are serious in our determination to defend Berlin and on other to avoid engaging their prestige particularly in the military field as they are unbelievably sensitive about this. I think, for example, we should for the present play down any boasts about our military superiority and in Berlin itself avoid any action that could be considered by them as annoyance on our part. At same time we should proceed vigorously with contingency planning which they will know about but without publicity.
I believe Khrushchev is likely to bring Berlin problem before UN and probably will personally present Soviet case. Suggest we should be thinking about how to prevent neutrals from proposing compromise solutions unacceptable to us and from giving him impression he can proceed with his plans with strong support from world opinion. I have some thoughts on this to put before you upon my return.
[Here follow paragraphs 2 and 3 in which Thompson gave his assessment of the Soviet position on disarmament.]
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/7–2862. Secret.↩