Attitude of the United States with respect to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the American Republics and the Soviet Union1
[On January 1, 1944, in reply to an informal inquiry received from the Bolivian Foreign Minister, the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) wrote to the Ambassador in Bolivia (Boal) as follows:
“We would welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between two fellow members of the United Nations, but we believe the initiative should come from one of the two parties principally concerned, and not from this Government. If we were requested by one of the principals, however, we would be glad to extend our good offices.” (724.61/2)
In a conversation on September 27, 1944, the Bolivian Chargé (Dorado) inquired of the Acting Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs (Armour) as to the attitude of the United States toward, and whether the United States might assist in, a Bolivian approach to the Soviet Union. Mr. Armour replied that the question of recognition of other states was purely a matter for their own decision and that if Bolivia desired to start discussions, contact might be made between the Soviet and Bolivian Ambassadors in some capital. (724.61/9–2744)
On April 1, 1943, the Adviser on Political Affairs (Duggan) while on a visit to Chile had a conversation with the Chilean President (Ríos). Mr. Duggan in his memorandum of the conversation stated:
“The President asked what the view of this Government was with regard to the renewal of relations with the Soviet Union. I told him that this Government had not taken any initiative with any of the other American republics to bring about the establishment of relations with the Soviet Union. On their own initiative several countries had approached this Government to ascertain its views. In every case the reply had been that the Soviet Union was now one of the United Nations fighting to destroy the Axis and that under these circumstances the establishment of relations with the Soviet Union might be a step that would assist the successful prosecution of the war. The decision, however, was for each country to make, and in making that decision each country would undoubtedly wish to bear in mind the desirability of protecting itself as far as possible against intervention in its internal affairs by persons or organizations connected or affiliated with the Soviet Union.”
The Chilean President told Mr. Duggan that for the time being he did not propose to establish relations with the Soviet Union. (825.00/1860)
In November 1944, however, the Under Secretary of State (Stettinius) indicated his willingness to inform the Soviet Ambassador (Gromyko) of the Chilean desire to recognize the Soviet Government and to inquire as to the desired means of making the contact. It was arranged that the Chilean Ambassador (Marcial Mora) should call on the Soviet Ambassador. This was done on November 27. (861.01/11–2144, 2244; 725.61/11–2744)
In August 1944, when the Ecuadoran Ambassador (Galo Plaza) told the Under Secretary that Ecuador was considering recognizing Soviet Russia and wished to know the attitude of the United States, the Department in a letter of August 30 thanked the Ambassador for the information and added: “As you know, the Government of the United States enjoys very cordial relations with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.” The last sentence was added at the suggestion of the Ambassador. (722.61/8–1444)]
- For correspondence on good offices to Uruguay in the renewing of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1942, see Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. v, pp. 262 ff.↩