865.01/2185: Telegram
The Chargé at Algiers (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—3:50 a.m.]
822. From Reinhardt. Bogomolov has just called to inform me officially that his Government has reached an agreement with the Badoglio government providing for the exchange of diplomatic representatives. These representatives are not to be ministers or ambassadors in the usual sense but are being appointed at the request of the “Italian Government” for the purpose of providing closer contacts between the two Governments.
I evidenced astonishment and said I must assume that the Soviet Government had already discussed this matter in London and Washington. He replied he did not know but that in any event he was now informing me officially and wanted me to understand significance of this development should not be exaggerated. It was simply that Soviet Government felt the need for more intimate contact with Badoglio government. He repeated that Soviet representative would not be an “ambassador” but simply a “representative”. It was desired that he have diplomatic status so that nobody could lay hands on him. Both United States and British Governments enjoyed a degree of contact through the machinery of the Allied Control Commission and the Allied Military Government which was denied the Soviet Government, since these institutions were purely Anglo-American in character and composition. He repeatedly emphasized that this move was of small importance and that it in no way reflected any change in Soviet policy toward Italy nor in that collaboration between the Three Great Powers which he described as highly important both for the successful prosecution of the war and for the establishment of a lasting peace. As evidence of the particular importance his Government attached to collaboration with the United States Government he cited the fact that I was the first person to be informed of this new decision.
[Page 1045]Bogomolov’s reiterated insistence on collaboration in the face of this diplomatic coup old style could not but call to mind the ancient story of the camel’s nose. I limited my comment however to saying that I knew that in the absence of prior notice my Government would be greatly surprised at this move since it must be expected to produce a development the relationship between Italy and the Allied Governments beyond that agreed upon at the time Advisory Council was set up. I asked Bogomolov if he thought position of Soviet representative to Italian Government would be held by same person who was Soviet member on Advisory Council. He replied that he thought not and that he expected his Government would appoint an additional person as their representative to Badoglio.
When asked if he had any information about Vyshinsky’s return to Algiers Bogomolov said that although he knew Vyshinsky was still interesting himself in the Advisory Council and in Italian affairs in general, the latter was for the present very occupied with the problem of reorganization arising out of the recent amendments to Soviet (Constitution and there was at the moment no information with regard to his return.
Macmillan informs me that his conversation with Bogomolov which followed immediately upon mine was very similar. He asked Bogomolov not to make any announcement in the press until he, Macmillan, had time to inform his Government, but he did not succeed in obtaining definite agreement to this although Bogomolov admitted that he had no specific instructions to release matter to the press.
Macmillan also inquired of Bogomolov whether he was going to inform the French to which Bogomolov replied that he had no instructions to do so. Macmillan is asking Foreign Office whether it wishes him to inform the French. I would be grateful for a communication of the Department’s desires in this connection.
Sent to the Department as 822. Repeated to Moscow as No. 15. [Reinhardt.]