840.50/9–544: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2134. The Department has agreed with the British Foreign Office that you and Kerr in concert should immediately speak to Molotov to ascertain definitely the Soviet position on the proposed European Inland Transport Organization. The Department has approved the text of proposed instructions from the Foreign Office to Kerr which you may secure from him.
Department’s approval was with the following added suggestion:
“Department feels that in addition to instructions contained in proposed telegram to British Ambassador in Moscow, Harriman and Kerr should also make clear to Molotov that the taking of this step at this time is for the purpose of preserving an opportunity to bring about the coordination in the field of European inland transport which is made urgently necessary by the progress of military operations in Western Europe, and that in view of the pace of events this opportunity may be lost by further delay. They should go on to say that this opportunity, it is believed, may thus be kept open for the benefit of all, including the Soviet Government, and that its participation at the earliest possible moment is and will continue to be most earnestly desired.”
For your information, Department considers it most important to secure immediate full tripartite action if possible rather than to proceed on a bipartite basis.