750 Foreign Relations, 1958-1960, Volume IX



287. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for
      European Affairs (Kohler) to Secretary of State Herter


                                      Washington, February 19, 1960.


SUBJECT
    Transmitting Suggested Memorandum for the President Reporting Latest
      Developments Affecting the Western Military Liaison Missions in the
Soviet
      Zone of Germany

    Subsequent to your briefing of the President on this subject on Feb-
ruary 8,1 there have been certain additional developments which it
seems desirable to bring to his attention. The British have been per-
suaded, after the exertion of very considerable pressure, to join us and
the French in protesting the Soviet action, and calling on the Soviets to
correct the situation they have created.
    The next move, following the despatch of letters to the Soviet Com-
mander today,2 will be up to the Soviets. We have no way of predicting
the nature of the Soviet response, but we do not doubt that British reluc-
tance to "rock the boat" will again manifest itself when it comes
to the
formulation of a common position to be taken to the Soviet response.
The British have indicated that the whole question is likely to be brought
to the attention of the British Prime Minister, who, in turn, may raise the
subject with the President.
    The developments of the last week are noted in the attached memo-
randum which you may wish to sign or use for the purpose of an oral
briefing on the subject.

Recommendation
    It is recommended that you sign the attached memorandum.








    Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221 /2-1960. Secret.
Drafted by Vig-
derman and initialed by Kohler.
    1A memorandum of Herter's conversation with the President on February
8, during
which he brought Eisenhower up to date on the question of passes, is ibid.,
Secretary's
Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199.
    2The text of the letter was transmitted in telegram 1579 from Bonn, February
18.
(Ibid., Central Files, 762.0221/2-1860) The differences between the U.S.
and British text
were explained in telegram 1578 from Bonn on the same day. (Ibid.)