Office of the Historian

14. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, February 28, 1964.

SUBJECT

  • Germany; Berlin

PARTICIPANTS

  • The Secretary
  • Mr. William R. Tyler, EUR
  • Mr. Johannes V. Imhof, WE
  • Ambassador Herve Alphand, French Embassy
  • M. Pierre Pelen, Counselor, French Embassy

Ambassador Alphand, at his request, called on the Secretary at 3:30 p.m. on February 28 for a general tour d’horizon. One of the subjects discussed was Germany and Berlin.

Ambassador Alphand asked about our attitude toward the German peace plan. The Secretary said that he felt this plan should be further studied and discussed in the Ambassadorial Group.

The Secretary said that he felt the three Western powers should discuss the question of Berlin passes. It was important not to concede in easy stages that Bonn is responsible and competent on this issue. The Western powers have the ultimate responsibility for Berlin. Ambassador Alphand agreed and observed that the question of passes was becoming a domestic issue in Germany.

  1. Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 65 D 330. Secret. Drafted by Imhof and approved in S on March 16. The source text is marked “Part IV of IV.”↩