POSSIBLE INDICATIONS RELATING TO THE BERLIN AND GERMAN SITUATION RECEIVED IN THE PERIOD 24-30 AUGUST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP93T01468R000100010007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 7
• Content Type: PAPER

Approved For Release 2001/0 04 : CIA-RDP93TO1468R000100010007-1
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POSSIBLE INDICATIONS RELATING TO THE BERLIN AND GERMAN SITUATION
RECEIVED IN THE PERIOD 24-30 AUGUST
Political and Diplomatic
23 August - Soviet note to the Western powers protests "provocative" actions in Germany
and accuses Western powers2#f#g air corridors to transport spies and saboteurs to Berlin.
(FBIS 37, 23 August 1961
24 August - Polish officials and employees departing the Polish
Military Mission in West Berlin were noted carrying bulky packages and full briefcases at
the close of business on 24 August. The source considers that this is a possible indication
m the mission in the eventuality it will be closed.
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24 August - An analysis of a 24 August Neues Deutschland editorial suggests to the US
mission in Berlin that the East German regime may now be willing to enforce the onerous
provisions of the new labor code and may in fact be preparing to make even more demands
on the workers. The editorial criticizes free time on Saturday, long a customary prerogative
of construction workers, and praises overtime work. (Berlin 311, 24 August 1961)
24 August - Lightner, Deputy Chief of Mission in Berlin, states that despite the Vice
President's visit and the move of the battle group to Berlin, it will be difficult to sustain
West Berlin morale for the long run if the city remains divided by a concrete barrier.
Despite the fact that the city had been split administratively for many years, there had in
essence been no division in human terms and to West Berliners and to the German people
generally, Berlin had survived as a symbol of hope for eventual reunification. He states
that even in recent years West Berlin's working force has been sustained only by an in-
flux of refugees from the East and that new blood will continue to be needed, and it
can now come only from the West. (Berlin 302, 24 August 1961)
r 24 August - East Bloc journalist stationed East Berlin sought Western colleague West Berlin
and stated. "Ulbricht has obviously lost his head and overdoing things very badly." Soviet
25X1A2g Union "very unhappy" East Germans and remarked Soviet Union robabi have to ste in
restrain East Germans from additional aggressive action.
SE(-.RET)
24 August - UPI Paris Diplomatic Correspondent conversation Kuznetsov, USSR Press
Attache Paris, latter made 3 points. 1) USSR expected negotiations begin initiative
of West. 2) After treaty signed between GDR and USSR, Soviet forces be stationed
about 100 meters inside GDR in order give GDR armed support event controversy over
access. 3) USSR better prepared for war than West and not at all hesitant take military
measures if necessary. (Pork POLIO V7; 2-fe Avg'r0 )90, CnNFlD!'MTVo .i )
'HIS DOCUMENT IS NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM NIC)
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25 August - Walter Ulbricht declared Western occupation of West Berlin must be
terminated and East Germany given full authority over all land, water and air
access to Berlin. East Germany would continue recognize Soviet control over
Allied military traffic to West Berlin, until a peace treat was si ned buts ecifi-
caii omitted any reference to civil air traffic.
28 August - Pravda repeated the line that "the socialist states are unyielding in their
determination to attain a peaceful settlement with Germany this year, and nothing
will prevent them from carrying this out. Should the Western powers continue to
avoid the conclusion of the German peace treaty, then the interested states will
themselves sign a peace treaty with the GDR." (FBIS)
Military PlanniEg and Mobilization
Early August - Soviet officers released in 1960 allegedly recalled to army in ' ,
Lithuania.
23 August - Ulbricht states Russian troops on alert since 13 August. (FBIS 60, 23 August 1961)
23 August - East German authorities call for 30,000 volunteers. Conscription if
quota not reached. (USARELIt SX 5034, 23 August 1961)
23 August - East German Border Security Police increased by cal l-up of reservists
on 16 August. (USAREUR SX 5034)
24 August of service for East German army
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25 August - Soviets increase reconnaissance of East-West German border. (USAREUR,
SX5085, 25 August 1961)
25 August - First indication East German army has CBR offensive capability. CBR
units previously engaged only in defensive operations. (USAREUR, SX 5089, 25 August 1961)
25 August - Possible training area for W.irsow Pact forces in Doupov, Czechoslovakia.
Area occupied, directed and supervised by Soviet troops. (USAREUR SX 5061, 25 August
1961)
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Troop Movements
26 August - One train of Czech troops reportedly crossed into East Germany recently.
USAREUR SX 5061)
23 August - Some Rumanian troops allegedly in Poland on maneuvers. (ARMA, Bucharest,
CX 150, 26 August 1961)
25 August - US Arma observations, Bulgaria, tend to discount any significant
Bulgarian troop moves toward Greek border. (ARMA, Bulgaria, UR-3, 25 August 1961)
Air
25 August - Soviet Ambassador Smirnov says best solution Berlin air corridor problem
be transfer all civilian traffic to Communist controlled Schoenfeld. "If this transfer
is not ur lertaken the same controls must be established for civilian air transport which
now exist with the railway, the autobahn and waterway transports," he said in speech
American Club. Declared West no legal treaty right fly civilians to Berlin. "Up to
now we have tolerated these flights but we have protested many times against their
misuse . " (AP 154, 25 August 1961)
Security and Paramilitary Forces
Logistics and Transportation
22 August - Soviet Headquarters in Karlshorst is coordinating countermeasures in event
West Berlin attempts to gain control of East German-owned railroad installations
located in West Berlin.
1/ Augur
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Additional Items
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29 Aug - In activation of three Border Security Police (BSP) brigades along E. German-Czech
border and transfer of their personnel to BSP brigades along East-West German oorders
and around Berlin has been reported from many sources. (CINCUSAREUR SX-5131,
281747Z Aug (DAIN 144677) 29 August 1961, SECRET)
29 Aug - USAREUR comments possibility exists that Polish Internal Security Forces (KBW) may have
been alerted for Berlin support but doubtful they have been sent unless in connection
with Warsaw Pact exercise which would include Polish forces, (CINCUSAREUR SX-5131,
281747Z Aug (DAN 144677) 29 August 1961; SECRET)'
29 Aug - Sample of new uniform for East German Security Alert Police (SAP) is similar- in color
and design to uniform of EGA. Possible BSP also issued similar uniform. Uniform changes
further evidence that SAP and BSP may be placed under jurisdiction of EGA.
(CINCUSAREUR SX-5131,.281747Z Aug (DAIN 144677) 29 August 1961, SECRET)
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28 Aug - The Soviet note on the air corridors is the
decisive step for the introduction of steps to change the air traffic to et Berlin which
have been the subject of internal discussions for some timed The definitive separation
of commercial and military air traffic will occur only after the remaining rights reserved
by the USSR have been turned over to the ODRO At that time the GDR can make full
use of its sovereign rights. The GDR will then inform Western commercial air lines
that the legal basis for scheduled and charter flights no longer exists. New mutual
agreements must be reached within an appropriate time so that traffic need not be stopped.
The immediate interest is not in stopping military air traffic but in imposing certain restric-
tions. If the Western allies do not heed the Soviet note on air traffic, serious intervention
in Allied Berlin air traffic will occur in the next few days. The following steps might
be taken: A. The Soviet representative in the Berlin Air Safety Center may refuse
permission for certain aircraft. B. Certain aircraft may be forced to land in the GDR,
Co Certain aircraft may be forced to return through military action by Soviet pl-anes0
D. The Soviet representative on BASC may withdraw on temporary or permanent basis
even before the signing of a peace treaty; 25X1A2g
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20 Aug -A TASS correspondent stated to a reliable American observer that the decision
to close out East Berlin en delayed until the last possible moment despite repeated
urgings by Ulbricht. The rising tide of refugees finally made it imperative, however
embarrassing. He foresaw the signing of a treaty sometime in November. Control of
of access would be passed to the GDR, but he added, "I do not believe the GDR will
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try to force you into anything that offends your resti eo The procedure will be rather
deliberate and very correct" V 25X1A2g
30 Aug -On 24 August a Soviet diplomat in East Berlin made following points considered to be in line
with current Soviet sabre-rattling campaign: Soviet long range aim is neutralization
of Germany, no Western rights as yet affected, if no solution forthcoming the separate
Peace Treaty will be signed on short notice, with no forthcoming agreement. Soviets are
prepared- to block West German access to and from Berlin, Soviets discount possibility
of successful American airlift, if West Germany receives command control over nuclear
weapons Soviets will initiate hostilities, i
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