740.0011 EW/8–2844
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Southern European Affairs (Cannon)
Memorandum for the President
Subject: The American Position as Regards an Eventual Allied Occupation of Rumania, Hungary and Bulgaria.
The Department understands that the decision has already been taken that American ground forces are not to participate in operations in the three satellite countries of Southeastern Europe. There have been, of course, considerable air force operations, under the Mediterranean command, probably the greater part of them conducted by American planes. In the case of Rumania, General Wilson has now ordered more intensive air operations, in the light of the events of the last few days, and these may now or at a later stage involve airborne troops, but we are not informed that any American personnel are being used. It seems to be, however, our basic military policy not to use U. S. forces in Balkan operations.
The O.S.S.82 does, however, have teams ready, or in process of organization, for use in these countries, chiefly for intelligence but also for special operations.
As regards occupation, the documents to be used as the basis for terms of surrender, and approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provide for Allied occupation, but it is understood that our military policy is not to use American forces as a part of the army of occupation.
It is supposed that American missions will go into each of the countries after surrender. These missions will have political, military and technical functions. The Department has not been informed of the Army’s plans for assigning military personnel for this work.
As regards civil affairs in the Balkans, it has been decided that the United States will participate in relief and rehabilitation work in the military period, but this, so far, has been planned only for “liberated” territory; namely, Greece, Yugoslavia and Albania, and not for the satellite states.
The terms of surrender contemplate, however, the utilization of the resources or supplies which may be available in the satellite countries and useful to the Allies in the prosecution of the war. Technical personnel in the form of Allied, missions will be necessary for the administration of this program. This has been in discussion with [Page 613] the F.E.A.83 The present disposition is not to send American personnel into the countries for this purpose. This would be in line with the general policy to hold to a minimum actual American participation both in the operations stage and the occupation state [stage?].