Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XV, Germany and Berlin

69. Memorandum From David Klein of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)¹

Washington, September 23, 1964.

McGB—

SUBJECT

• Berlin Pass Agreement²

You and the President should know that tomorrow in Berlin the long negotiated pass agreement will be signed. In addition to the signing ceremonies, there will be a series of public statements—by the West Berlin Senat, the Government of the Federal Republic, the Allied Commandants, as well as an Erhard-Brandt exchange announcing support for the agreement, and defining the political implications of the action to limit distorted Communist claims of political significance.

The agreement will make it possible for West Berliners to visit relatives in East Germany four times a year—the last part of October, between Christmas and New Year, at Easter time, and at Whitsuntide.

In reaching agreement, the Socialist dominated West Berlin government had to haggle, not only with the Communist East Germans, but also with the Christian Democratic government of the Federal Republic. At times the dialogue with the Federal Government was more difficult than with the Communists. In fact, the Federal Government only yielded at the very end to avoid bearing the onus for collapsed negotiations.

This morning, after much soul-searching, the Federal Cabinet found enough in the agreement to justify endorsing it. With that step, the way was open for signing ceremonies tomorrow and first visits in mid-October.

On balance, the West will gain more from this agreement than the Communists. The Communists will get themselves a safety valve to lessen tensions in East Germany; the West will be able to reestablish relations with the isolated East German population and build bridges to it.

DK

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Germany, Berlin, vol. 3. Secret.
2. On September 23, the West German Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the City of West Berlin and East German authorities that permitted West Berliners to visit relatives in East Berlin.