868.48/2094: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 19—1:38 p.m.]
892. My 891, April 19, 1 p.m. Mallet told Boheman and me that British Foreign Office is under some pressure in Parliament for a statement regarding progress of these negotiations and that they felt it imperative to make a public statement in the near future. Boheman agreed to this and British Minister is suggesting following text to the Foreign Office as a possible reply to be made Monday or Tuesday to question in the House of Commons:
“On the initiative of the Swedish Red Cross negotiations have for the past month been proceeding with both the belligerent parties regarding a relief action for the population of Greece. The Swedish Government having declared themselves ready to place Swedish tonnage now lying in Swedish ports at the disposal of the parties interested, the British and United States Governments have stated their willingness to authorize monthly shipments of 15,000 tons of wheat or flour from Canada to Greece. It is hoped that the German and Italian Governments will be prepared to facilitate the relief action. The Swedish Government continue their negotiations with both the belligerent parties with a view to arriving at an early agreement regarding the conditions under which the relief action is to be carried out probably under the auspices of the International Red Cross.”