661.1115/83: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
972. Your 654, June 19, 2 p.m. Prime Minister replied as follows on the 17th instant to a question in the House as to whether the United States Government had expressed any opinion as to negotiations now proceeding between Prime Minister and Mr. Krassin and whether the United States Government were consulted before the decision to open negotiations and to recognize the Soviet Government were definitely arrived at:
“The American Ambassador in Italy was present at the San Remo Conference where the decision of the Allied Powers to enter into commercial relations with Russia was taken and was no doubt reported by him to his Government. We have received no protest against the decision then taken from the American Government. The American Government have been kept informed of the progress of events in case they should at any time express a desire to join in the conversations. They have already nominated an expert to take part in the economic discussions. I may add that Japan and Belgium have intimated their intention to take part in the conversation with M. Krassin.”
Prime Minister’s statement that American Government had been kept informed of progress of events probably had (in view?) various informal conversations which I have had in person with him and Lord Curzon at various times as well as to conversations between other members of the Embassy and Foreign Office during the course of which certain information was obtained regarding [apparent omission] which had been held by the Prime Minister with Krassin. No continued or spontaneous effort has however been made either by Prime Minister or by Foreign Office to furnish me with any details concerning the progress of negotiations, although the Embassy has been supplied informally by the secretariat of Permanent Committee of Supreme Economic Council with the minutes of their proceedings which have been transmitted to the Department in the usual manner. Statement as to nomination of expert for economic discussion based no doubt on our intention communicated to Foreign Office and Supreme Economic Council to designate Skinner as observer if requested. In communicating this intention, however, I was careful to state that he was not otherwise to participate.
I have instructed consul general in accordance with your 654.
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