861.24/10–3044
The Ambassador of the Soviet Union (Gromyko) to the Secretary of State
Your Excellency: In response to the proposal of the Government of the United States of America for a Fourth Protocol, delivered by you with a note of transmittal, dated September 20, 1944, I have the honor to transmit to you, on instruction of the Soviet Government, the following:
The Government of the U.S.S.R. values highly the aid rendered to the Soviet Union by the United States of America in the prosecution of the war against the common enemy on the basis of the Lend-Lease Act in the form of military supplies, industrial equipment, raw materials and food. In these efforts of the United States of America the Soviet Government sees the most important manifestation of a friendly attitude towards the Soviet Union and a recognition of the high importance of the contribution which the Soviet Union has made in the struggle for the defeat of the common enemy.
In concluding the Fourth Protocol the Soviet Government is motivated by a desire to satisfy first of all the most important and urgent needs of the Soviet Union, relating to the conduct of the war. Taking into consideration the shortage of ships’ tonnage, the Soviet Government has reached the conclusion that it must somewhat reduce the overall quantity of supplies to be received under the Fourth Protocol from the United States of America. At the same time the Soviet Government considers it of great importance that sufficient ships’ tonnage be made available to move the supplies selected in their full [Page 1151] extent. This principle is of further importance in connection with the special list of equipment and materials transmitted to Mr. Harriman on October 17,43 which also must be assured of sufficient ships’ tonnage.
The Soviet Government, therefore, thinks it possible, in place of the program of 7,404,000 short tons offered by the United States, to establish a program of 5,944,000 short tons, not counting shipments from Canada in the amount of 200,000 tons. In this figure there is included cargo in the form of stocks in warehouses and items in transit having a tonnage of 600,000 short tons, not including cargoes set forth in the list of October 17.
The Soviet Government expresses confidence in the possibility of satisfying this request for tonnage, bearing in mind in this connection the statement of the Government of the United States of America, that the tonnage set by it is considered by it as a minimum and that the Government of the United States admits the possibility of surpassing this minimum.
Considering entirely timely the raising by the Government of the United States of America of the question of a long term credit in connection with certain deliveries of industrial equipment from the United States under the Fourth Protocol, the Soviet Government has the intention of offering its proposal on this question in the near future.
Accept [etc.]
- List, as enclosed, not printed.↩