Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Berlin Crisis, 1958–1959, Volume VIII

47. Memorandum of Conversation Between President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles⁰

Washington, November 18, 1958, 10:45 a.m.

[Here follows discussion of an unrelated matter.]

2. I reported on the Berlin situation and that it had eased somewhat. I said that the rather extreme views advocated yesterday and the day before by General Norstad and the JCS had been moderated by better understanding with the British, the French and the Germans before we took a position that might lead to shooting.

The President reviewed at some length his recollection of the history of the Berlin arrangements; his feeling that we perhaps should not have committed ourselves as deeply as we had to Berlin, where he said the situation was basically untenable, as in the case of Quemoy and Matsu. However, he recognized that we were where we were and had to stand firm. The President emphasized, however, that we needed to have understanding with the British, the French and the Germans on this matter.

[Here follows discussion of unrelated matters.]

JFD

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, Memoranda of Conversation. Secret; Personal and Private.