Berlin Question

Report Outline
Pressure to Change Status of Berlin
Occupation and Blockade of Berlin
Proposals for a Berlin Settlement

Pressure to Change Status of Berlin

Berlin Question at the Summit Conference

Progress toward settlement of the Berlin question will be one of the primary objectives of the Big Four heads of government when they assemble at Paris on May 16. The coming summit conference, in fact, had its origin in Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev's demand, 18 months ago, that the occupation of Germany's former capital be terminated and that West Berlin be converted into a “free demilitarized city.” The notes making those demands on Nov. 27, 1958, carried a time limit of six months and thus bore the characteristics of an ultimatum. The United States, Great Britain and France refused to submit to pressure, and Khrushchev backed down to the extent of removing the time limit. The foreign ministers of the three Western powers and the Soviet Union labored over the question at Geneva from mid-May to early August last year without coming to agreement. Now the heads of government themselves will take their turn at trying to solve the problem.

Although the Soviet premier withdrew his ultimatum on Berlin, he has not changed his position on the Berlin question, nor have the Western Allies. In a hard-hitting speech at a dinner in New York, April 20, Under Secretary of State Douglas Dillon called the problem of Germany, including Berlin, the central issue confronting the nations of East and West at the summit. The problem in the long run can only be solved, Dillon said, through German reunification—a solution that the Soviets so far have rejected.

Meanwhile, we are willing to consider interim arrangements to reduce tensions in Berlin and lessen present dangers. But we are determined to maintain our presence in Berlin and to preserve its ties with the Federal Republic [of Germany]. We will not accept any arrangement which might become a first step toward the abandonment of West Berlin or the extinguishing of freedom in that part of Germany which is a free, peaceful and democratic member of the world community.