Memorandum about a Discussion between Comrade Rodin, 1st Secretary of the Soviet Embassy, with the Head of the West Berlin Press Office, Dr. Struve

West Berlin Department

Berlin, December 3, 1973

Memorandum

about a discussion between Comrade Rodin, 1^st Secretary of the Soviet Embassy, with the Head of the West Berlin Press Office, Dr. Struve

Comrade Rodin informed me of the above cited conversation, which took place on November 29 immediately after Bahr’s discussion with the West Berlin executive committees.

1. Struve explained, that in the conversation with Bahr, Schütz allegedly “accomplished that he [Bahr] would support the Senate’s position on the question of the minimum exchange.” Bahr and the BRD government are allegedly, according to Struve, “now of the opinion that the measure taken by the DDR also violates the letter of the agreement.” Further, Struve expressed that Brandt “will strengthen this position” during his upcoming visit to West Berlin. 

Struve explained further that if the discussions between Kunze and Mitdank do not lead to an arrangement on the business of the minimum exchange along the Senate’s lines, then not only the BRD government but also the Western allies would be brought in. 

Struve attempted to that effect to exert pressure in that he pointed to consequences for the DDR and the Soviet Union if the DDR did not find itself ready for a change of the minimum exchange (Credit question and European Security Conference). 

Comrade Rodin in contrast very expressively stated our position on the question of the minimum exchange and warned against attempts to further sharpen the situation. 

Struve thereupon explained that our side should understand that the SPD allegedly finds itself in a “very difficult domestic political situation.” The last polls supposedly showed that the popularity of Brandt and his government have sunk. This has led to concern among SPD leadership circles. On the other hand, according to Struve, Schütz had gained popularity due to his “hard line.” The West Berlin SPD and the Senate would see it as one of their duties “to force a hard line on the BRD government.”

Comrade Rodin warned Struve against such a “hard line.”

2. During the conversation, Struve expressed the desire, as Comrade Rodin explained, to meet me for an “unofficial conversation.” Comrade Rodin asked me what I think about it. I responded that I do not find such an unofficial conversation with Struve to be appropriate in the current situation. Further, I explained that I would of course inform my superiors about this.

3. Struve also went into the opinion of Beijing on the questions affecting West Berlin during the conversation. In connection with the Genscher’s short visit to the PRC, Struve expressed that “the Chinese support our position fully and completely.” The Chinese side allegedly turned to the Senate with the suggestion to open a Chinese trade representation and a general consulate in West Berlin. According to Struve’s statements, the Chinese representative had explained that the above-mentioned institution would be “directly subordinate to the embassy of the PRC in Bonn.”

Comrade Rodin remarked that if these statements from Struve were true, then the behavior of the Chinese side would explicitly contradict the agreements of the Quadripartite Agreement. To him, it is apparent that the Senate tried to “play the Chinese card” in the discussion with us. 

[signature]

Mitdank

Distribution:

Gen. Fischer

Gen. Dr. Kohl

Gen Krolikowski/FO

ZID

Dept. BRD

[GDR] Embassy Beijing

Dept. WB