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

740.00119 Control (Hungary)/6–2345: Telegram

No. 294
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Harriman )

secret

Washington , June 23, 1945—3 p.m.

1391. In connection with your discussion of organization and activities of ACC in Hungary during second period of Armistice (Dept’s 1168, May 28¹) you may wish to consider desirability of proposing for inclusion in statutes following points which are based on draft prepared by General Key ² and on which Dept would like to have your comments. (Sent to Moscow, repeated to London and Budapest³).

1. Functions of ACC would be limited to regulation and control of fulfillment of armistice terms, as stated in article 1 of present statutes.

2. Composition of ACC: chairman would represent Soviet Govt and Soviet Military Command in Hungary; two vice-chairmen would be chiefs of Brit and American Military Missions; third vice-chairman, such political and military assistants as may be required, and Chief of Staff of Commission would be appointed by chairman. Representatives of three powers should be included on several divisions of Control Commission. Liaison section should be provided to assure effective channel of communications between members of Commission and with Hungarian authorities.

3. There should be periodic meetings of Commission and agenda should be submitted to principal representatives of participating powers specified period in advance of meetings.

4. Action to be taken by Commission shall have been agreed upon unanimously by three Allied representatives; questions of important political nature which can be dealt with only on governmental level shall be referred to respective governments.

5. Specific provisions which should be included:

(a) Principal representatives of three powers will receive oral and written information, including copies of official communications, on all activities of Commission.

(b) They and their staffs may enter, move freely within, and leave Hungarian territory, communicate direct with their respective governments by usual methods of diplomatic communication including, after previous notification to chairman, dispatch and receipt of diplomatic couriers by air or otherwise and transport by any means of personnel, mail and supplies to and from Hungary.

(c) They may determine size and composition of their delegations and amount of funds required from Hungarian Govt for expenses of their respective staffs.

(d) They may call in specialist-officers or other experts in connection with special questions.

Dept prefers that if possible negotiations to revise ACC statutes along lines of foregoing points take place at Moscow. However, should it be decided to limit the discussion there to the broad principles included in Depths 1168 with provision for working out procedural details at Budapest, General Key will be so informed in order that he may discuss latter with Brit and Soviet members of Commission⁴ on his return to Hungary.

Dept is forwarding by courier for your and General Deane’s background information copy of General Key’s original draft and comments.⁵

Grew
S[amuel] R[eber]

1. See document No. 287, footnote 5.
2. See enclosure 1 to document No. 289.
3. As telegram No. 124.
4. The British and Soviet members of the Allied Control Commission for Hungary were Major-General Oliver Pearce Edgcumbe and Marshal of the Soviet Union Kliment Efremovich Voroshilov, respectively.
5. See document No. 289.