740.00119 Control (Finland)/10–1644: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 17—2:23 a.m.]
3949. ReDeptel 2423, October 13, 6 p.m. I have no reason to suppose that the Soviet Government would be adverse to the despatch of an American representative to Finland. I would be glad to learn Why Soviet Government does not consider it desirable to have such an officer accredited even as a consular representative to the Finnish Government.
I doubt that an officer designated as liaison officer between this Government and the Control Commission would be able to act effectively on behalf of American interests of American citizens since he would presumably lack direct access to the Finnish authorities. The functions the Department has in mind for such an officer are strictly consular ones and it seems to me that the appointment of a consular officer would be the natural solution.
Has the Department considered asking the Finnish Government to permit such an officer to function unofficially without exequatur? In this capacity he would presumably be able to fulfill all consular functions other than notarial ones. Another possibility would be to send an officer who already holds an exequatur from the Finnish Government.