861.24/9–2044
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador of the Soviet Union (Gromyko)38
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: The Government of the United States, in appreciation of the great contribution made by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the common cause against the Nazi aggressors and their satellites, desires to continue to provide the Soviet Union with the maximum assistance possible for the prosecution of the war in the form of military supplies, equipment, raw materials, and food.
In conformity with this policy of the Government of the United States, there are enclosed the preamble of the proposed Fourth Soviet Protocol together with a statement of the supplies and shipping which the United States Government is in a position to make available to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.39
The attached preamble, which covers the offerings of the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada has been approved by the three Governments. It is understood that the schedules of offerings of the United Kingdom and Canada will be delivered to the diplomatic representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in London and Ottawa respectively.
It is my understanding that several copies of the attached documents have already been transmitted informally to the Soviet Purchasing Commission, and it will be appreciated if you will communicate the draft Protocol and schedule of offerings to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in order that it may make its selections from the schedules as soon as possible and thus permit the implementation of the fulfillment of the needs of the Soviet Union without interruption.
Sincerely yours,