740.00119 E.W./10–2344: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 29—3:35 p.m.]
4046. ReEmbtel 4030, October 21, 6 p.m. Molotov’s secretary phoned me this afternoon to say that word had just been received from London that the Bulgarian terms have been agreed in EAC and to inquire whether I would be willing to be present at 7 o’clock to present them to the Bulgarian delegation. I explained that I did not have instructions which would permit me to do this.
The British have received what purports to be a text of the terms as agreed in EAC. They understood Mr. Winant had made it clear that the draft would still require approval by our Government.
The British Ambassador yesterday wrote to Molotov stating that his Government attached importance to the terms, as agreed in EAC, being shown to the Greek and Yugoslav Governments for their concurrence. He suggested that those Governments be given an opportunity to express their views on the draft before it is handed to the Bulgarians, but left open as an alternative the possibility that the draft might be simply communicated to those Governments before negotiations with the Bulgarian delegation were begun. It was proposed that communication be sent either to the Greek Government in Athens and to the Yugoslav Government in London, or, as an alternative, to the Greek and Yugoslav Ambassadors either in Moscow or in London. No reply has been received to this inquiry.
Thus the British are also not yet in a position to agree to the presentation of the terms to the Bulgarians.
The British Embassy here does not know the present whereabouts of General Gammell who, it is understood, is to sign the agreement with the Bulgarians. They have wired to various of their posts in the Mediterranean and Near East urging that he proceed to Moscow as soon as possible.
[Page 475]The Russians are pushing most energetically for the early clearance and signature of this agreement. I do not know the reasons for their impatience.
I hope that the Department, in drawing up my instructions with relation to the signing of this agreement, will bear in mind that the protocol is designed for signature by diplomatic representatives of the three Powers and not by General Gammell. I also hope that the Department will let me have its views as soon as possible on the question of clearing the agreement with the Greek and Yugoslav Governments.
Repeated to London as 233, to AmPolAd Caserta and to Cairo for MacVeagh as No. 7.