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13. Organization of Trips to Berlin
In view of the demonstrable success of the German program of 1958-1959 under which foreign journalists were brought to Berlin as guests of the city of West Berlin to obtain a first-hand insight into the Berlin problem, it is recommended that efforts be made to reinstitute a similar program in the immediate future. The Federal Republic has indicated its willingness to finance such a program again but it may be necessary to exert some friendly pressure to ensure the resumption of a visits program.
(Action responsibility: State, USIA.)
14. Suggested Themes for Use by Western Spokesmen and Information Media
The following is a list of suggested themes relating to Germany and Berlin to be employed by Western spokesmen and information media, as appropriate, in presenting the Western case. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and it is anticipated that other themes or variations of themes will suggest themselves as the crisis develops.
1. There is no need for a Berlin crisis: if one develops, it will be artificial and made in Russia.
2. The apparent reasonableness of Soviet proposals covers a calculated plan to usurp essential Western rights and to deprive two and a half million people of their only effective guarantee for freedom.
3. In proposing a so-called "free city" solution for West Berlin the Soviets are seeking to extend to West Berlin the control of the dictatorial Communist regime of East Germany which is totally unrepresentative of the 17 million people over which it holds sway. The true nature of this regime is clearly demonstrated by a study of the biographies of the individuals who head it. Its unrepresentative character is demonstrated by the flight of over two and a half million of its citizens since 1949.
4. The Russian assertion that West Berlin is part of the territory of the D.D.R. is quite untrue. They offer a "Free City of West Berlin"
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