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DOCUMENTS ON GERMANY, 1944-59
This convoy has been held up since 1I:05 p.m. Central European time,
February 2, 1959.
This convoy, on leaving Berlin, was passed through the Nowawes
checkpoint by Soviet personnel, having been found to comply with
normal procedures, and followed the established route toward its
destination. At the Marienborn checkpoint, the Soviet authorities
refused to allow it to proceed.
Despite protests by the United States Political Adviser, Berlin,
to the Soviet Political Adviser and by the Chief of Staff of the United
States Army, Europe, to the Soviet Military Liaison Mission at
Frankfurt-Main, the men and vehicles have not yet been allowed to
proceed on their journey.
The action of the Soviet authorities at Marienborn is in clear viola-
tion of the United States' rights of access to Berlin via the Berlin-
Helmstedt autobahn, exercised by the United States Army in accord-
ance with quadripartite agreements with the USSR, the United
Kingdom and France since 1945.
The United States Government expects the Soviet Government to
take the necessary measures to allow the men and vehicles to proceed
to their destination and to ensure against a repetition of the incident.
Statement by Secretary of State Dulles Upon Returning from
Europe, February 9, 19591
I have talked in London, Paris and Bonn with governmental leaders
of those countries, and with Secretary-General Spaak of NATO.
We have had a useful exchange of views primarily on the serious
situation created by Soviet threats and repudiations concerning
Berlin.
We have reconfirmed the unity and firmness of our position ex-
pressed in the joint communique of the four powers at Paris December
14. We do not accept the substitution of East Germans for the So-
viet Union in its responsibilities toward Berlin and its obligations
to us. We are resolved that our position in, and access to, West Ber-
lin shall be preserved. We are in general agreement as to the pro-
cedures we shall follow if physical means are invoked to interfere
with our rights in this respect.
We discussed the whole problem of Germany. We exchanged views
-on the prospects for a foreign ministers meeting with the Soviet Union
at which all aspects of the German problem can be discussed, not only
Berlin and a peace treaty, as the Soviets propose, but also reunifica-
tion and European security, as the Western Powers have proposed.
We are willing to talk with the Soviets in a sincere effort to reach
agreements.
The leaders of the British, French, German and United States
governments will keep in close contact on the German situation, and
-their foreign ministers contemplate meetings as may be appropriate.
Officers at other levels will be in consultation on specific questions.
I return encouraged by the unity, understanding and resolution
in the three countries I visited.
1 Department of State press release 99,, February 9, 19.59.
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