December 11, 1958
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER: Washington, 10 – US President Dwight D. Eisenhower has reaffirmed the West’s firm intention to remain in Berlin, irrespective of any pressure from the communists. Speaking at his weekly press conference, President Eisenhower discussed the historical and political reasons behind why the West must stay in West Berlin with the eventual aim of the reunification of Germany. He attributed no importance to statements made to US officials by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev regarding Berlin nor technical progress made by the Soviet Union. Agreements on Berlin, added Eisenhower, were made in London in 1944 and approved in Yalta by the political leaders of Russia, Britain and the USA. At that time, only a vague arrangement had been made regarding Berlin and the only provision made was that Germany was to be divided into zones. In Potsdam, it was agreed that Germany would be divided. «Eventually we recognized that West Germany would be a special state, but we have always insisted that Germany be reunified…» said Eisenhower. The USA, Britain, France and West Germany have not only the right but the duty to maintain a firm stance regarding the current status of the city of Berlin.
