Status of Berlin, May-December 1960 593



possible effect of economic sanctions on Berlin. The Secretary also re-
ferred to internal political considerations revolving around the 1961
German Federal Elections. In the final analysis, however, the Secretary
said the problem is whether, in acquiescing to restrictions by the Soviets
and the GDR, we thereby in effect accept a principle leading to further
Soviet and GDR restrictions which could culminate in the complete iso-
lation of Berlin from the free world.
    Sir Frederick said that the Prime Minister would be seeing King
Hussein at 5:00 and Mr. Khrushchev at 6:00 that evening. Based on the
preliminary reactions of members of the Soviet delegation to the Prime
Minister's speech the British did not expect much to come of the Mac-
millan-Khrushchev talk.







222. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of
      Defense Gates


JCSM-439-60                        Washington, September 29, 1960.

SUBJECT
    Berlin Countermeasures

    1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are disturbed by the patterns of Com-
munist action and Free World response as these have developed during
recent weeks in the Berlin situation.
    2. Communist action seems to thrust indirectly toward a most vul-
nerable point, the economic connection of West Berlin with Western
Europe. It is doing so with some effectiveness and in a diffuse way, not
offering any identifiably hostile act. Continuation of this line of action,
which is already well under way, could gradually destroy the economic
viability of West Berlin and thus dissolve the community of over two
million whose continued existence in freedom the United States and
NATO have so irrevocably guaranteed. It is a difficult line of action for
the West to oppose, owing to the geographical situation of Berlin and to


    Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2170,
381
Germany. Secret. Attached to a letter from Douglas to Herter, October 3,
summarizing its
contents and offering JCS assistance in planning military countermeasures.