Chapter 33

The main negotiations were handled by Petrovich, while Shcherbakov sat in the back, listening to see if there were any constructive suggestions. So far, there were none! Both sides were essentially talking past each other, completely ignoring the other's views. After listening to diplomatic rhetoric for several minutes, to avoid falling asleep, he had to take out a drawing board to shift his attention. Occasionally, he would look up at the expressions of the opposite side. The representative from West Germany was just there to make up the numbers, while the American representative seemed distracted, clearly not taking the negotiations seriously. The main negotiators with Petrovich were the representatives from Britain and France.

This also reflected the attitude of the three countries' representatives towards the meeting. The United States believed it could advance or retreat as it pleased, and the Soviet Union had no way to deal with it, clearly showing that it did not care about the outcome of the negotiations. Britain and France, being in Europe, could more directly feel the power of the Soviet Union, especially France, which was not willing to follow the American lead, and was more proactive than the other representatives. While listening to the unproductive rhetoric, Shcherbakov continuously sketched on his drawing board...

"Mr. Petrovich, please be sure to tell the Soviet government that only with sufficient sincerity can we achieve results! The current situation in Berlin cannot be changed; this is the outcome of our leaders after World War II!" the British representative stated his opinion.

"The establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was not agreed upon by our three countries. Even if Germany unifies, it should join NATO!" the American representative, who had been silent, finally spoke. Shcherbakov, who had been sketching, completed his work and handed the drawing board to Lukani, who was sitting beside him. He then stepped forward and sat between Petrovich and the GDR representative, a position that had been left vacant.

"The Soviet Union has decided to transfer the administrative authority of Berlin to the GDR! In the future, Soviet troops will not interfere with the GDR government's management of its territory! This decision has been made by General Secretary Khrushchev, and there is no need for further discussion!" Shcherbakov placed both hands on the table, drawing a line under the matter, and pointed to the GDR representative, saying, "Future negotiations regarding the Berlin issue can be directly communicated with the GDR government..."

He paused and continued, "As for the Soviet Union's stance, the representatives have always known it. Germany can naturally unify, after all, it is one nation, and unification is better than being divided into two countries! However, a unified Germany joining NATO is absolutely impossible. The Germans are not so incapable that they need to join one side to develop. The withdrawal of the four occupying powers from Germany and the neutralization of Germany align with the wishes of the four countries and the German people! We can sign agreements with Germany to achieve neutralization and avoid the current tense situation..."

The idea of a unified and neutral Germany within the Soviet Union can be traced back to Beria. Before Beria's fall, he was a strong advocate for German unification. After Beria's fall, Khrushchev, who was currently advocating for avoiding full-scale confrontation, also strongly supported the unification and neutralization of Germany. Although Khrushchev wanted peaceful coexistence with the United States, the Americans were not buying it. At that time, the Soviet Union did not yet exert the kind of pressure on the United States that it would in twenty years. Khrushchev's goodwill was repeatedly ignored, and with no hope of easing tensions, the Soviet Union entered a path of full-scale confrontation with the United States. From the later period of Khrushchev, the internal Soviet discourse on the unification and neutralization of Germany disappeared.

"The establishment of the GDR was not agreed upon by our three countries; it was a unilateral action by the Soviet Union. Germany must unify and join NATO, and the agreement should be based on this foundation; otherwise, there is no need for negotiations!" The American representative's attitude was that the Soviet Union must make concessions; otherwise, there was no need for negotiations.

"What a powerful imperialist attitude! A unified Germany must join NATO? Not neutral? You want Germany to be tied to your war machine as cannon fodder, right? The Soviet Union's proposal for neutralization and easing tensions is directly dismissed by you as waste paper? You want Germany to join your side and continue to threaten the survival of the Soviet Union? If you don't agree, there is no need for negotiations?" Shcherbakov tapped the table and nodded. In the entire meeting room, only Isayev's machine was still running; otherwise, a pin could be heard dropping.

"American, do you think you have the Soviet Union cornered?" Shcherbakov asked sarcastically, "Do you think the Soviet Union will agree to these terms? Let's be reasonable. It was you who ignored the Soviet Union and first established the Federal Republic of Germany, not us who first established the GDR! When it was established, did you consider the feelings of the Soviet-occupied zone? Who provoked the conflict and led the world into confrontation? It was the Iron Curtain speech, and it was you who first showed hostility towards the Soviet Union! Today, you want the Soviet Union to retreat again? I advise you not to dream. Personally, I have never retreated since I started working. I believe that a neutral Germany, free from any foreign control, also aligns with the wishes of the German people!"

After saying this, Petrovich and the GDR representative expressed their views. Germany could naturally unify, but it should not be under the control of any foreign power, and there should be no foreign troops on its soil.

"Finally, West Berlin should not be a military city. You are using economic means to drain the GDR, causing a population drain and severely impacting its economic development and construction. This is highly immoral!" Shcherbakov added after Petrovich and the GDR representative had spoken.

"The presence of troops in West Berlin is our right as occupying powers, and the Soviet Union cannot interfere!" the American representative said firmly.

"The Soviet Union has already transferred the administrative authority of all of Berlin, including the railways and waterways of West Berlin, to the GDR. You must accept this! Since we cannot communicate, let's stop talking. The quadripartite talks, held every half month, will be suspended from now on, as they are a waste of time!" Shcherbakov's decisiveness surprised everyone. Diplomatic negotiations usually involve mutual concessions and can last for one or two years. What surprised the representatives from the three countries was that Shcherbakov was really prepared to settle the matter in one negotiation.

"Mr. Shcherbakov, you will have to bear the consequences of suspending the negotiations!" the American representative's face darkened, his words laced with a threat.

"Are you threatening me? May I ask what your basis is?" Shcherbakov's face also darkened, "Since I started working, only my enemies have retreated and made concessions; I have never taken a step back. Don't think that West Berlin has any leverage, or that you can threaten me just because I am negotiating with you in the West Berlin city government! There are 400,000 Red Army soldiers of the Western Group in the entire GDR, and they can occupy all of West Berlin in two hours!"

"Who will win or lose in a major war in Berlin is still unknown!" The American representative's face was very grim. The Soviet Union was too despicable, not considering his feelings at all, and seemed to not care about the breakdown of negotiations. Was this Soviet not afraid of taking responsibility when he returned?

[Can't you just hope for the best? I won't be sealed this time.]

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