Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, Europe, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/22506a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley)

Washington, June 11, 1942—7 p.m.

293. An understanding was entered into between the White House and Molotov that no statement would be issued regarding his visit to the United States before his return to the Soviet Union. It was also agreed that following his return an identical communiqué⁶⁵ which had been agreed to between the President and Molotov would be issued simultaneously to the press in Washington and Kuibyshev. Litvinoff informed us late last night that the Soviet Government would issue the communiqué at 11:30 this morning Washington time. The White House therefore this morning issued the communiqué the text of which undoubtedly you have already seen.

Among the non-military matters which have been discussed with Molotov the following are mentioned:

a. The establishment of an airplane ferrying service from the United States to the Soviet Union through Alaska and Siberia.

b. The establishment of a civil air service between the United States and Vladivostok or some other railway point in Siberia through Alaska.

c. The establishment of a civilian air service between the United States and the Soviet Union through Africa and the Middle East.

d. The possibilities of strengthening the desire in Finland for a cessation of hostilities.

e. General economic matters including the Master Lend-Lease Agreement and our hope that we may be able to enter into conversations with the Soviets in the near future with respect to basic commercial and economic policies to be pursued after the war.⁶⁶

f. Our hope that difficulties which may arise from Allied occupation of Iran may continue to be solved in a spirit of cooperation and accommodation, and

g. Our hope for an improvement in Soviet-Turkish relations and our willingness to be of help in bringing about such improvement if called upon to do so.

We understand that Molotov has agreed in principle to point c and that Litvinoff will discuss the matter with us in the near future in more detail. A more detailed telegram on this subject is being prepared.

It is understood that Molotov did not raise the question of future Soviet frontiers.

Hull

65. Infra.
66. For correspondence regarding trade relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, with some consideration of postwar possibilities, see pp. 758 ff.