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but also the economic ability of the GDR and the entire
We were always of the same opinion as you. Even then,
Soviet bloc to withstand the economic pressures both
when something was hurting us I have in mind the
potential and real arising from a prolonged conflict
matter of the open border.
with the West over Berlin and the German question. By
Gomu ka: I would have shut it far earlier. How many
1961, East Germany s socialist-bloc allies were no longer
times I told Khrushchev about it!
willing to sacrifice their own economic development for
Ulbricht: We know about that, but Khrushchev
the sake of the GDR. Even if their fears of a Western
believed after all that he could conclude a treaty with the
economic embargo were not the deciding factor in
FRG modeled after Rapallo....
Khrushchev s decision to renege on a separate peace treaty
with the GDR, they did provide him with a useful excuse
[Source: AAN, KC PZPR, p. 110, t. 16.]
to justify his decision. The irritation of the GDR s allies
including the Soviet Union with Ulbricht s never-
ending economic demands was quite apparent in 1961-62.
Document No. 2
The economic weaknesses revealed during the Berlin
Rough Notes from a Conversation (Gromyko,
Crisis would help spark a flurry of reform proposals in
Khrushchev, and Gomulka) on the International
Eastern Europe during the early 1960 s: Khrushchev s
Situation, n.d. [October 1961]
plans to reform the Comecon and institute a socialist
division of labor ; Gomulka s project for closer economic
Comrade Gromyko: In talks with [U.S. Secretary of
cooperation within the northern triangle of Poland, the
State Dean] Rusk, [U.K. Foreign Minister Lord Alec]
GDR and Czechoslovakia; and Ulbricht s New Economic
Home, [U.S. President John F.] Kennedy and [U.K. Prime
System for the GDR. Of the three initiatives, only the
Minister Harold] Macmillan, it struck me above all else
New Economic System would make it to the
how they conducted them in a friendly tone, which has not
implementation stage.30 Conflicts would continue
always been the case. We concluded that they are trying
between the GDR and its allies over economic questions.
to find ways to achieve an understanding on the question
Khrushchev grew increasingly critical of the GDR s
of Germany and West Berlin. During the exchange of
NEW EVIDENCE ON THE BERLIN CRISIS 1958-1962 223
views, every major issue was touched upon. Nevertheless, to be resolved at a later date.
it was stressed in the conversations that this is only a Conclusion: They consider the question of security in
preliminary exchange of views before official talks. Europe a concession to our advantage.
From the very beginning, Rusk34 , Macmillan and With regard to the sovereignty of the GDR, there were
Kennedy declared that we should discuss on the basis of no statements. They did ask us, however, how we
the actual situation what would be acceptable to the understand [the issue of] respecting the GDR s
Western countries. It has to do with access to West Berlin. sovereignty.
Rusk emphasized that we should guarantee free access to The situation is favorable for us.
West Berlin. We utilized Comrade Khrushchev s The USA proposed that we continue the exchange of
discussion with [Belgian Premier Paul-Henri] Spaak35 and views. We voiced our approval.
tried to justify ourselves by emphasizing that the GDR and The exchange of views will be continued with the
the USSR have declared that they will respect the general USA s ambassador in Moscow.
order of the people of West Berlin. Our position was very The basis for further discussions is not bad.
understandable to them. Comrade Khrushchev: The USA requested that we
The question of access to West Berlin: Regarding this not force the issue of a peace treaty with Germany, that we
question, there have not been any statements. They are of wait 4-6 weeks so that it can work out its own position.
the opinion that some new legal changes will have to be Comrade Khrushchev spoke further about the incidents on
introduced or else the occupation regime will have to be the border to West Berlin, about how access was
maintained. Regarding Germany s borders: Rusk declared suspended to West Berlin, which has become an island.
with Kennedy s approval that the government of the USA He spoke further about the incident with the tanks
is prepared to recognize the borders of Germany de facto [i.e., the tank standoff at Checkpoint Charlie on October
and de jure (the border on the Oder-Neisse). With regard 27] and how the police are checking every route leading to
to Czechoslovakia s borders, they are thinking over some Berlin.
form of commitment to recognize that country s borders. In a conversation with Comrade Khrushchev,
They are prepared to recognize the border between the Kennedy always stressed that we are a great country and
GDR and West Germany de facto. that we should respect each other.
Comrade Khrushchev: Everything that we say here There will not be a war, but signing a peace treaty
must remain top secret because our position corresponds with the GDR might exacerbate the situation.
to their position. Berlin is a closed city, without prospects /statement of
The West Germans are afraid that the USA will say American journalists/.
more than it should about Germany s borders. Although there will be no war, we should not
In the third discussion, Rusk also touched upon the exacerbate the situation. We must continue our game.
following questions: security in Europe (1) the We are not afraid, but we do not want war. We can
conclusion of a non-aggression pact between NATO and agree with Kennedy: What s Berlin to you? before you
the Warsaw Pact. Home also spoke about this. (2) Rusk there are enormous possibilities, history is working to your
declared that the USA is in favor [of the idea] that the advantage.
GDR and West Germany should not produce nuclear What will we gain and what will we lose by
weapons and that other countries should not supply these concluding a peace treaty with the GDR[?]
countries with such weapons. (3) The USA declared itself We will lose: The Americans, the English, the French
in favor of reducing the size of armies on both sides of the might declare an economic blockade against the USSR
front in the heart of Europe. and the socialist countries. Regarding the USSR, these are
The first two matters should be resolved empty platitudes, but the other countries the GDR,
simultaneously. With regard to the other matter, the Poland, Hungary and to a lesser extent, Romania might
prevention of sudden aggression that matter will have suffer if they do that. We should wait for 4-6 weeks, like
RECENT CWIHP SEMINARS
VOJTECH MASTNY, NEW EVIDENCE ON THE HISTORY OF THE WARSAW PACT (OCTOBER 26, 1998)
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