Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 2

662A.00/11–1651: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret   priority

Bonn, November 16, 1951—7 p. m.

416. Verbatim text. Fol redraft of Security Guarantee just received from Chancellor.¹

“On the occasion of the treaty and conventions signed today, establishing a new basis for the relationship between France, the United Kingdom and the USA, on the one hand, and the FedRep of Germany, on the other, the Three Powers declare that they consider the (political and territorial) integrity of the FedRep and Berlin an essential prerequisite for the peace of the free world.

The Three; Powers, confirming and implementing the policy pursued so far, declare that they would treat any attack against the FedRep or Berlin from any quarter as an attack upon themselves.

For the practical implementation of this declaration by which the external security of the FedRep is fully guaranteed and as a consequence of their special responsibilities, the Three Powers will maintain armed forces within the territory of the FedRep and Berlin for such time as they deem necessary having regard to the world situation.”²

McCloy

1. On November 3 McCloy had reported that the British and French representatives, after consulting their governments, had agreed to the text of a security guarantee along the lines of that set forth in telegram 2528, October 19, p. 1555, with the addition of a reference to Berlin in the last sentence. A copy of the revised draft was given to Adenauer on November 2. (Telegram 311 from Bonn, November 3, 740.5/11–351)
2. On November 17 McCloy reported that the last phrase of the final paragraph should read “for such time as the world situation requires.” Telegram 422 from Bonn, November 17 (662A.00/11–1751). With regard to Adenauer’s draft, the Department of State commented on November 20 that it felt the draft was too sweeping, particularly the phrase “by which the external security of the FedRep is fully guaranteed” which constituted an “unqualified and non-reciprocal territorial guarantee to FedRep” (Telegram 3071 to Frankfurt, November 20, 662A.00/11–2051)