762.61114/11–2044
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador of the Soviet Union (Gromyko)
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to your note of November 20, 194490 informing me that General Golikov,91 who has been designated by the Soviet Government to handle matters relating to the repatriation of Soviet citizens, desired to send a Soviet military mission headed by Major General V. N. Dragun to France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg to make arrangements for the identification and repatriation of Soviet citizens in western Europe freed by the Allied Armies. You requested that this information be conveyed to the appropriate United States military authorities and that the mission headed by General Dragun should be officially recognized by General Eisenhower and that they be permitted access to any camp in the zone of the Anglo-American Armies in which there are Soviet prisoners of war or Soviet civilian internees.
As I informed you orally on November 24,92 this matter had been immediately taken up with the appropriate officials of the War Department and had been submitted to the Supreme Allied Commander, General Eisenhower, with the recommendation that the facilities requested be accorded the mission of General Dragun. I am pleased to inform you that information has now been received that Supreme Allied Headquarters is prepared to afford General Dragun the facilities requested and that he has already arrived in Paris to work out the necessary practical arrangements for carrying out the purpose of his mission.
Accept [etc.]