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Documents on Germany, 1944-1959: background documents on Germany, 1944-1959, and a chronology of political developments affecting Berlin, 1945-1956
(1959)
Note from the American ambassador at Bonn (Conant) to the Soviet ambassador at Berlin (Pushkin), protesting the paramilitary units (Kampfgruppen) in East Berlin, February 10, 1956, pp. 185-186
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Letter from Premier Bulganin to President Eisenhower, on reduction of foreign forces in Germany, June 6, 1956 [extract], p. 186
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Joint communiqué on German question by Chancellor Adenauer and Secretary of State Dulles, June 13, 1956, pp. 186-188
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Page 186
DOCUMENTS i- ON GERMANY, 19'44-5 9 sponsorship of activities by armed civilian groups or through other threats directed at the Western Sectors. Letter from Premier Bulganin to President Eisenhower, on Reduction of Foreign Forces in Germany, June 6,19561 [Extract] * * * -* * * * Guided by the high aims of strengthening peace among peoples, the Soviet Government decided to take the initiative and, without waiting for a disarmament agreement, make a large cut in the armed forces of the- Soviet Union, amounting to 1,200,000 men, this in addition to the 1955 cut of 640,000 men. The armaments and combat materiel of the armed forces of the U.S.S.R., as well as the military expendi- tures of the Soviet Union in the U.S.S.R. state budget, will be cut accordingly. In line with this decision, 63 divisions and separate brigades are being demobilized, including three air divisions and other combat units numbering over 30,000 men stationed on the territory of the German Democratic Republic. We of course understand that the withdrawal from Germany of the said number of Soviet troops does not solve the question entirely. This measure of the Soviet Govern- ment is only the first step. However, we base-our-thinking on the premise that if the Governments of the United States, England, and France, which have their troopson German territory, would for their part also take steps to reduce their armed forces in Germany, 'then this would undoubtedly prepare the ground for more decisive steps in this matter. At the same time we have in mind that such measures on the part of the governments of the four powers could later lead to an agreement on a sharp reduction in the foreign armed. forces in- Germany or the withdrawal of foreign -armed forces from German territory. Joint Communique on German Question by Chancellor Adenauer and Secretary of State Dulles, June 13, 19562 The visit of Chancellor Adenanuer to Washington has afforded an opportunity for a full exchange of views between him and Secretary of State Dulles. This has permitted the Chancellor and the Secretary of State to undertake a broad review of the world situation and of problems confronting their governments in the international field. The Chancellor was accompanied by State Secretary Hallstein. Foremost among the matters discussed were the question of German reunification, the most recent events in the Soviet Union, and the further development and strengthening of the Atlantic community. " Department of State Bulletin, August 20, 1956, p. 301. The President replied to this letter on August 4, 1956 (infra). Premier Bulganin enclosed a copy of the Soviet state- ment of May 14, 1956 on the reduction of forces (ibid., pp. 301-305). 2 Department of State press release 3.22, June 13, 1956. 186
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