811.79661/69: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3—5:27 p.m.]
588. Department’s 387, May 31, 8 p.m. I took occasion yesterday again to discuss the question of air communications with Molotov and specifically the points raised in the Department’s telegram. Regarding the definite agreement referred to in our May 13 conversation74 Molotov stated that what he had in mind was a written agreement to establish a “joint” American-Soviet Company presumably similar to the former Deruluft Company75 which would operate an air service between the Soviet Union and the United States via Africa and Iran. I stated that although I would recommend to my Government that definite proposals be submitted to the Soviet Government covering this question it might well be impossible to establish any type of commercial service at the present time since the military authorities were now operating the airlines in Africa and the Near East. It is my understanding that Molotov had in mind only an agreement covering the war period.
Regarding agreement on other possible air routes and particular[ly] the Alsib route, Molotov states that this question had not come up but that if the American Government desired to submit definite proposals thereon the Soviet Government would of course be ready to take them under consideration.
I suggest that the Department take the question of coming to some definite agreement with the Soviet Government on the African and Alsib routes under consideration and that appropriate instructions be issued to me. I would appreciate learning whether the Soviet [Page 664] Government is still availing itself of the courier facilities across Africa offered to it last summer or whether Soviet couriers are now proceeding via Alaska only.
Molotov expressed surprise that delays and difficulties had been encountered in sending mail and personnel over the Moscow–Tehran sector and stated that he thoroughly agreed that the present unsatisfactory situations should be remedied.
I also brought up again the question of sending Soviet publications over the Alsib route (Department’s 256 of April 2776), and he promised to pursue the matter.