The Soviet Union and the German Question September 1958 – June 1961

1. Front Matter

   Pages N1-XI

   PDF

2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 1-2

3. Part I

   1. German Democratic Republic’s Note to the Soviet Union Outlining Proposals for a Peace Treaty (September 5, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 3-5

   2. Soviet Note to the United States Concerning the Proposals of the German Democratic Republic for a Peace Treaty (September 18, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 5-7

   3. N. S. Khrushchov’s Replies to Questions by A. E. Johann, a West German Journalist (September 25, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 7-14

   4. N. S. Khrushchov’s Speech at the Soviet-Polish Friendship Meeting (November 10, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 14-20

   5. Pravda Article by “Observer”: “There Can Only Be One Solution to the Problem of Berlin.” (November 18, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 20-23

   6. Soviet Note to the United States on the Berlin Question (November 27, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 23-40

   7. N. S. Khrushchov’s Kremlin Press Conference on the Berlin Question (November 27, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 40-49

4. Part II

   1. TASS Statement on the Berlin Question (December 12, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 50-58

   2. Soviet Statement Concerning the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Council Meeting (December 13, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 58-66

   3. N. S. Khrushchov’s Replies to Questions from Hans Kempski, correspondent of the West German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (December 15, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 66-74

   4. Foreign Minister Gromyko’s Statement on Berlin to the Supreme Soviet Meeting (December 25, 1958)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 75-80

   5. Soviet Draft Peace Treaty for Germany and the Accompanying Note to the United States (January 10, 1959)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 81-100

   6. A. I. Mikoyan’s Address Before the National Press Club during his Visit to the United States (January 19, 1959)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 100-102

   7. A. I. Mikoyan’s Kremlin Press Conference After Returning from the United States (January 24, 1959)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 102-104

   8. N. S. Khrushchov’s Speech at Tula: “The Soviet Union’s Position is Today Stronger than Ever Before.” (February 17, 1959)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 105-107

   9. N. S. Khrushchov Speech Offering Britain a Twenty Year Treaty (February 24, 1959)

      • George D. Embree

      Pages 107-120

   10. Soviet Note to the United States Concerning the Draft Peace Treaty for Germany (March 2, 1959)

       • George D. Embree

       Pages 120-127

   11. Khrushchov—Macmillan Moscow Communiqué (March 3, 1959)

       • N. Khrushchov, Harold Macmillan

       Pages 127-129

Since the end of World War II Germany and Berlin, in particular, have pro­ vided the Soviet Union with convenient points on which to apply pressure upon the West. In September 1955 the Russians formally terminated the occupation status of their zone and recognized the "sovereignty" of the "German Democratic Republic", but in doing so they reserved to the Soviet Army control over the movement of British, French, and American military personnel and freight between West Berlin and the Federal German Re­ public which the Western Big Three had recognized as a sovereign state in 1954· In September 1958 the Soviet Union began exerting new pressure upon the West to alter the status of Berlin and Germany. Its initial moves sug­ gested the Russians were primarily interested in concluding a peace treaty with a divided Germany and making West Berlin a so-called "free city- unilaterally if need be - by the end of May 1959. However, intensive diplomatic maneuvering on both sides soon revealed the Russian position to be more flexible than originally indicated and one of its primary goals to be the calling of a summit conference which the Soviet Union had sought since 1956. Shortly before the expiration of N. S. Khrushchov's November 27, 1958, six-month "ultimatum," the Big Four had reached sufficient agreement to convene a Foreign Ministers' Conference. However, after three months of fruitless negotiations it produced only deadlock.

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