POSSIBLE BERLIN BLOCKADE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005900450004-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 29, 2008
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: February 2, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/02/29: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005900450004-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
Mae m t.n.i contains fnfoeamatlwt alsoa" Sba Rn.
aonai Dsfsns of the United sea. within the mean.
tnt of $be SMAOaap Lws, Title 18. U.B.C. e.as. 71e
and 7N, the t.anaafa.a or rNWtion of wbfop In
any aon- to an unauthoeta.d parson Is potublted
by Law.
SECRET - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY East Germany
SUSIECT Possible Berlin Blockade
DATE OF INFO.
RE_ _R
DATE DISTR. 2 February 1955
NO. OF PAGES 2
25X1
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
PLACE ACQUIRED
This is UNEVALUATED
Information
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITNE.;R. s
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATWE , tl 9I" ( `i
1. Karl Reiss, chairman of the Berlin area committee of the German-Soviet Friendship 25X1
Society, indicated at a committe(, meeting on 2 December that a new blockade of
West Berlin was an imminent possibility. Everything pointed to an impending
ban of the KPD, he stated. This, according to Reiss, would be the last breach of
the Potsdam Agreement the Western Powers would be able to commit. Since a treaty
respected by only one party was meaningless, the Soviets would withdraw their
recognition of the Potsdam Agreement and thereby deprive the Westelp Powers of the
right to remain in West Berlin.
2. When asked if the Western Powers would voluntarily evacuate Berlin, Reiss replied
that they would be forced to leave. If and when the KPD were suinpressed, or,
f,t tre Latest, when the Paris Agreements were ratified, West Berlin would be
1)lockaded. When it was suggested that such a step would mean war, he said that
this was regarded as unlikely. The West was in no position to carry on a war at
this time, and knew that the East Bloc armies near the Elbe river outnumbered those
of the West. Also, France, Italy and West Germany could not be counted on for help
since West Germany was still unarmed and the strong communist parties in Italy
and France would make effective action difficult.
3. While members of the committee kept saying that time was on the side of the East,
Reiss said, quick action would be more favorable at that moment. This action would
consist of a demand for the West to evacuate Berlin within a specified period.
The demand would be immediately followed by the blockade.
4. Reiss felt that the Americans would not start an airlift because it was too expensive.
This time, the blockade would not only include moral pressure nn the population but
would be the concern of Soviet military units. Therefore, not only the traffic in
goods would be prevented but also the influx of new troops to Berlin. The free use
of the Autobahn would cease, and flying over East German territory would be regarded
as a violation of the sovereignty of a foreign state.
SECRET - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE X ARMY X NAVY X AIR X I Eal A,C
(NOTE: Wwbiwploe dfarib fi- i.,dicol l by "X", FI.W dilhiball a b1, "*".)
Approved For Release 2008/02/29: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005900450004-7
 Approved For Release 2008/02/29: CIA-RDP80-00810A005900450004-7
SECRET - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY 25X1
5. Reiss said he realized that the reaction in West Berlin would be unfavorable,
but contended that a clear front must be set up in order to "clear up this little
abscess". The present situation gave the West too much of a chance to commit
espionage and to smuggle radio transmitters into East Germany. Reiss added that the
"enemy" was well informed on the strength and position of Soviet and KVP troops.
Reiss closed by saying that the political parties and mass organizations would have
to work hard to enlighten the population on this matter.
SECRET - U.S. OFfCIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2008/02/29: CIA-RDP80-00810A005900450004-7