Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of France Henri Bonnet, Jacob Beam, and Theodore Achilles

EXTRA COPY 31 DEPARTMENT OF STATE ARCHIVES "NATIONAL RECORDA SERVICEN° AMO 184 Memorandum of Conversation DATE: February 14, 1949 SUBJECT: Introduction of Western Mark s.a Solo Legal Tender for Nestera Sectors or Borlin PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Dean Acheson, Secretery of State; Mr. Henri Bonnet, Treneh Mr. Theodore Achilles, Chief, Division of liestern European Affeirs: Mr. Jucob D. Besm, Chief, Division of Centrol Eupopesn COPIES TO: Affoirs. s/s O RUR WE CE ARMY 1-1493 Mr. Bonnet peised the question of the introduetion of the western mark 68 solo logal tender for the western sectors of Borlin. He first stated that the proposed date of Maren 10 for this step was prematuro, aince it might pre judice the outcome of discussions wich might toke place in the Security Couneil on the basis of the UN experts commttes report. I expleined thet wo had mede a perfectly fair propossl for the use of the Soviet mark in Berlin. This proposal wold envisage e free supply of estero zone marks to the western sectora and autonosous control of the use of this mork by the wostern sectors. This proposel would sorve as on interim solution, pro- teeting the interest of all the four occupying powors in Berlin. If the Sovieta then lifted the blockade wa would be willing to diacuss with then measures for the re-uniffestion of the city. If in the Security Couneil in New York the Soviets indiested willingness to scospt our proposal, we naturally would not went favorable negotig- tions to be broken oft by our introduction of the western on Maron 10. However, wo were not optimiatie and because of the very bnd sconomic situation in Borlin we felt the date of March 10 had to be set for e curreney changeover. It is hoped this would provide sufficient time to ascertain whether the Soviets would agreo to en acceptable solution. DECLASSIFIED Mr. Bonnet E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (B) Dept. of State letter, Bx NLT- HC ; NARS Date 4-20-76