740.00119 European War 1939/2457: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 11—11:15 a.m.]
1232. As the British had handled the matter in writing an informal note was sent to Molotov on April 8, pursuant to the Department’s 812, April 5, 9 p.m.
The note was confined to the two points that (1) my Government presumed that in dealing with the Rumanians for surrender of the Rumanian army the Soviet Government would regard itself as acting on behalf of the three Allies and (2) that in case the armistice terms should carry any implications or stipulations extending beyond the accomplishment of the military capitulation my Government would of course expect that it and the British Government would be consulted in advance.
The following is a paraphrased translation of Molotov’s reply dated April 8.
“I wish to inform you, with reference to your note of April 8, concerning negotiations in Cairo with representatives of Rumania, that the Soviet Government has given precise instructions to the Soviet Ambassador in Cairo, Novikov, to consult with the appropriate representatives of the United States of America and Great Britain before transmitting any further declaration to the Rumanians on the part of the Soviets. Such consultations have already taken place according to information at my disposal.”
The British Embassy advises that it has received a similar reply. It also advises that further Soviet terms have been furnished to our representatives at Cairo.