940 Chapter 7
undertook no more. The Soviets released RB-47 personnel McKone and Olmstead on
January 25, 1961.
Powers and American student Pryor were exchanged for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel
on February 10, 1962.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from May 1, 1960. End Date changed from July
18, 1960. Fatalities changed from None.
MID#246
Started in May 1960. See the narrative in the 2 United States of America/40 Cuba
dyad dispute list.
MID#1363
Started in December 1960. See the narrative in the 365 Russia/812 Laos dyad dispute
list.
MID#27
Dispute Number: 27
Date(s): July 25, 1961 to October 28, 1961
Participants: 2 United States of America, 200 United Kingdom, 220 France, 260
German Federal Republic/265 German Democratic Republic, 290 Poland, 315
Czechoslovakia, 365 Russia
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Soviet Union for several months leading up to this dispute had
increasingly become stern in its wishes for a united Germany. This sternness on
Khrushchev’s part manifested itself in a treaty deadline, set for December 1961. In a
public address on July 25, 1961, President Kennedy made a request for congressional
authorization to mobilize selected military units to respond to the threat to Berlin. On
August 13, the East German government released a declaration that stated that in the
face of aggressive aspirations, East Germany would take the necessary measures to
guarantee the security of the German Democratic Republic. The East German military
fortified its borders with West Berlin and began to build a wall on the border in the
city. In addition, barricades were built that encircled West Berlin, blockading it from
East Germany entirely. Two Russian divisions were reported to be equipped with
armor and artillery.
In response to this blockade, the United States, Britain, and France initiated a troop
buildup in West Germany and West Berlin on August 17. On October 17, Khrush-
chev announced that it appeared the West wanted to negotiate, and thus the need for
the December deadline was unnecessary. In direct contrast to his words however,
on October 27, Soviet tanks were moved up to the sector boundary, amounting to a
standoff with previously deployed American tanks. As soon as the Soviet government
heard of this movement they called the forces back. The Soviet tanks withdrew from