Central (C): Germany (CG). Berlin Crisis: Non-Military CounTer-Measures

A file of correspondence and reports concerning potential economic countermeasures to be used against East Germany by the Western Allies, should Allied access to West Berlin be interrupted. The documents discuss the Foreign Office's view that, should a "minor Berlin crisis" be instigated by the East German government, the Allies' first step should be the suspension of travel documents permitting East German citizens to cross into West Berlin. Beyond this suspension, however, it is admitted that the Allies will be relatively limited in their options to act against East Germany. Other documents cover the view of the British embassy in West Germany that economic countermeasures against East Germany must strike a fine balance between keeping East Germany dependent on Western supplies, and "giving the D.D.R. large credits which will be a hostage to fortune". The documents also comment on loans and credits owed by East Germany to NATO member states.