840.50/7–2244: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1751. Department is advised that the Embassy in London has furnished you with copies of “Report to the Governments of the United [Page 769] Kingdom and of the United States of America on Proposals for a European Inland Transport Organization”, and of draft agreement and of draft directive.
Department has been informed by the British Embassy of H.M.G.’s approval of these documents and the suggestion has been made that a prompt joint approach be made to the Soviet Government seeking their approval of the prompt calling of a meeting with the other Allied Governments in Europe and the prompt creation of the Interim Commission. The Department is informing the Embassy and the Ambassador in London of its approval of this suggestion, subject to agreement upon certain suggested amendments to the draft agreement and the draft directive.
The Department is however suggesting to the Embassy in London that this matter should be initiated by brief preliminary conversations prior to the convocation of a formal meeting in order to avoid the appearance of presenting the continental governments with a fait accompli. Soviet participation in the preliminary conversations, or at least its consent thereto, as well as its participation in the formal meeting should be sought.
The suggested amendments to the draft agreement are as follows:
[Here follow nineteen paragraphs of suggested amendments to the draft agreement on EITO which are the same as those transmitted in telegram 5567, July 15, midnight, to London, printed on page 764; also two paragraphs regarding a change in the draft directive establishing the Interim Commission which are the same as the first two paragraphs of telegram 5632, July 18, 9 p.m., to London, printed on page 767.]
No reply has as yet been received from the Embassy in London as to its views with respect to this latter suggestion and it may therefore be subject to modification. With this exception, these suggestions constitute the definitive position of the Department with respect to the text of the above referred to documents.
As soon as final agreement has been reached with H.M.G. you will be advised and requested to join with the British Ambassador at Moscow8a in approaching the Soviet Government.
In approaching the Soviet Government for concurrence in the draft directive establishing the Interim Commission and the draft agreement on EITO you may wish to point out that the Department attaches importance to the prompt establishment and implementation of these bodies because of their direct bearing and assistance to the military and civilian requirements in the areas in Europe which are being liberated.
- Sir Archibald J. K. Clark Kerr.↩