840.50/7–2944: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant )
6101. Your 6033, July 29, 1944. Department approves the British suggested changes in the EITO agreement. The Department also approves the effort to procure full Soviet participation immediately. The Department notes that the Foreign Office wire to the British Embassy in Moscow does not refer to preliminary talks, but the Department assumes that if full Soviet participation is secured, they will be asked to participate also in the preliminary talks. On this assumption it approves the contemplated procedure of not raising the question of proceeding with preliminary talks with Soviet approval, in order to avoid the possibility that the Soviets might use it as an excuse to postpone active participation; it being understood that if they are not ready to participate fully at once, then their approval would be sought to proceed with informal talks and the establishment of an interim commission with their participation as observers. The Department assumes that the British are in accord with this view although the text of the Foreign Office wire to the British Embassy in Moscow does not specifically so indicate. Our instructions to AmEmbassy, Moscow are on this assumption.
There is no objection to the UK acting on behalf of the three Governments in issuing the invitations to the other Allies, provided it is made sufficiently explicit that they are acting on behalf of all three Governments, or, in the absence of Soviet participation, on behalf of this Government also. Department requests that it have submitted [Page 773] to it for approval in advance the text of any contemplated British invitation.
Department assumes that you approve informal preliminary talks with the other Allies before formal invitations are issued, if possible with Soviet participation and if not, with Soviet approval. (ReDepts 5766, July 22).
Embassy in Moscow is being advised of the foregoing and requested to act jointly with the British Ambassador in the contemplated approach to the Soviet Government.10
- Telegram 1838, August 2, 8 p.m., to Moscow, not printed.↩