Central (C): Germany (CG). Soviet Attitude Towards Peace Treaty with Germany and Status of Berlin

A file of correspondence, reports, and press material concerning negotiations between East and West over the future of West Berlin. The documents discuss the West German government's view that "the best card the West had in negotiations with the Russians was economic pressure"; and the East German government's claim that the Berlin Wall served as an "anti-fascist defensive rampart" that prevented the "West German militarists and imperialists" from "hindering the development of socialism in the G.D.R.". The documents also cover the French belief that Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, is preparing for the signature of a peace treaty between the Soviet Union and East Germany by persuading the non-aligned member states of the United Nations that the continuation of the occupation regime in Berlin is a "dangerous anomaly". Other documents comment on a rumour that Khrushchev is under pressure due to the lack of developments in Berlin.