THE DISCUSSION CENTERED AROUND THE QUESTION OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE SUCCESS OF A SOVIET BLOCKADE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85S00362R000200030020-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 25, 2002
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: June 5, 1952
• Content Type: NOTES

Approved For Relell 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP85S00362R00160030020-4
S-E-C-R-E-T
Security Information
IAC -Mz-73
5 June 1952
The discussion centered around the question of the likelihood of
of the success of a Soviet blockade in causing the West to withdraw
from Berlin. Recognizing the important role of West Berlin morale
in the face of the annoyances and the hardships which the population
would Tae rA^?i roa '~ suffer-.in a blockade, it was generally believed
that the critical factor lay in the degree of determination of the
U. S. and its Allies to stay in Berlin. The majority opinion was that
in view of the existing estimate that the Soviets are not likely
deliberately to initiate general war through mid-1953 and in the
belief that the initial success of Western re-armament has probably
not changed the Soviet strategy in this regard U,S. actions in
maintaining access to and viability of West Berlin, even if resisted
t 6 a 4 a! '~' S
by East German or Soviet forces, could robab,?v be
successful without bringing about a general war.
4" L h` x /(x-'j""' . 3
Approved For Release 2003/02/27 : CIA-RDP85S00362P6020
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