Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume I

740.00119 (Potsdam)/5–2446

No. 256
Department of State Memorandum

[Extract]¹

top secret

Memorandum

i. proposed items for the agenda

4. Implementation of the Yalta Declaration on Liberated Europe² in the Treatment of Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Greece (see Annexes 4 and 5³) It is recommended:

(a) in regard to Rumania, Bulgaria and Hungary

(1) That the three Allied Governments agree in principle to the reorganization of the present governments in Rumania and Bulgaria, and should it become necessary, in Hungary, and to the postponement of diplomatic recognition and the conclusion of peace treaties with those countries until such reorganization has taken place.

(2) That provision be made for tripartite consultation (later to include French representatives) to work out any procedures which may be necessary for the reorganization of the governments to include representatives of all significant democratic elements, with a view to the early holding of free and unfettered elections.

(3) That the three Allied Governments consider how best to assist the local governments in the holding of such elections, bearing in mind that while it may be preferable to have the actual conduct of elections in the hands of the local governments themselves rather than in those of Allied representatives, there must be adequate assurances that all democratic elements will have the opportunity to present candidates and that the voting will be in fact free.

(b) in regard to Greece

That, pursuant to a joint Anglo–U. S. approach in regard to Allied supervision of Greek elections which is being made to the Greek Government before the Big Three meeting, the U. S. Government propose to Great Britain and the Soviet Union at the meeting that the three Governments, possibly with the participation of France, send observers to Greece to supervise the elections to be held later this year.

[ Washington ,] June 30, 1945.

1. For the full text of this memorandum, see the attachment to document No. 177.
2. See vol. ii, document No. 1417, section v.
3. Documents Nos. 285 and 443, respectively. Concerning Poland and Yugoslavia, which were the subject of separate declarations at the Yalta Conference, see documents Nos. 483, 551, and 552.