Office of the Historian

96. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at Berlin0

Washington, August 20, 1962, 8:45 p.m.

188. For Hulick from Secretary. Re our telecon1 I wish confirm that I understand problem of possible use US forces to control crowds if West Berlin police prove inadequate. I agree maximum use should be made of West Berlin police but in final analysis Three Powers are responsible in West Berlin. West Berliners cannot have it both ways—they cannot have our protection on basis occupation rights and on other hand ignore our directives. You should not therefore shrink from use US forces if this becomes necessary to maintain law and order.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.00/8–2062. Confidential; Priority; Eyes Only. Drafted by Cash, cleared by Tyler, and approved by Rusk.↩
  2. No record of this telephone conversation has been found.↩