Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, Europe, Volume IV

861.24/6–944

The Department of State to the Embassy of the Soviet Union ⁹²

Aide-Mémoire

In the course of the administration of the program of aid to the Soviet Union under the Act of Congress of March 11, 1941, known as the Lend-Lease Act, a problem has arisen requiring the consultation of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Government of the United States. This problem is the transfer by the Soviet Government to the Governments of third countries of articles or materials similar to those which the Soviet Government has received from the United States as lend-lease aid. The disposition of such articles and materials is manifestly of concern to both the United States and to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and it is to the interest of both governments that their policies with reference to such supplies be coordinated and brought into concert. While the issue has not yet become urgent, it is expected that it will arise more frequently with the favorable progress of the war.

In order to establish a procedure which will facilitate the cooperative solution of such issues, the Government of the United States proposes an exchange of notes with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the sense of the attached draft.

Washington , July 6, 1944.

[Enclosure]

Draft Note From the Soviet Ambassador to the Secretary of State

Excellency: With reference to and in supplement of the Preliminary Agreement of June 11, 1942, between our two Governments on the Principles Applying to Mutual Aid in the Prosecution of the War against Aggression, I have the honor to set forth the agreement in principle of the Soviet Government to the following procedure for the transfer or other disposition of articles and materials within the scope of United States program of supply for the Soviet Union.

1. With a view to supplementing Article III of the aforesaid Agreement of June 11, 1942, the Soviet Government will not authorize an assignment to any third Government or other public authority of articles or materials similar to those which the Soviet Government has received from the United States as lend-lease aid until the matter has been referred to and agreement received from the Government of the United States.

2. The consultations and agreements contemplated by this note will take place in Washington or in Moscow, as may be most convenient.

Accept [etc.]

92. Handed by the Chief of the Division of Eastern European Affairs (Bohlen) to the Chargé of the Soviet Union (Kapustin), on July 6.