CONFIDENTIAL
BERLIN
1. There are a number of problems that may arise over Berlin. The three main ones are:
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b.
C.
Eastern European delegations may challenge the right of the FRG delegation to represent the interests of West Berlin, on the grounds that security or status are involved in the issue being discussed. (The French, Americans and British, and not the FRG, are responsible for matters of security and status in Berlin).
Eastern European delegations may object to particular members of the FRC delegation on the grounds that they arc members of Federal institutions "illegally" situated in West Berlin. Any Soviet statement on such a subject is likely to contain language objectionable to the Allies. In any conference documents listing towns and capitals of member States, there may be a difference of opinion be tween the Eastern Europeans and the Western Powers on the terms used to describe West Berlin and East Berlin. (The three Western Powers have no strong views on how the two should be described, as long as the descriptions match each other as far as possible eg Berlin (West) and Berlin (East). We can usually also accept a solution whereby a footnote reserves the position as regards Berlin status. The GDR on the other hand will try to insist that West Berlin should be described as Berlin (West) and East Berlin as "Berlin, capital of the GDR" with no footnotes).
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2. In the event of difficulties arising over these or other Berlin matters, the British delegation will probably need to concert a reply to any Eastern protest with the French, American and Federal German delegations. They should therefore liaise with their French, American and Federal German colleagues, and where possible refer back to London for instructions, repeating any telegrams at the same precedence to Bonn, since the terms of an Allied reply
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