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

740.00119 Control (Rumania)/3–1745: Telegram

No. 301
The Secretary of State ad interim to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)

secret

Washington, June 29, 1945—6 p.m.

1467. Dept left unanswered for a considerable time Molotov’s note (reurtel 805, March 17¹) refusing our request for consultation on political situation in Rumania not through any inclination to accept Soviet arguments or to drop the matter but because it was desired to make the main effort on Polish issue (Your 756, March 14²). Sent to Moscow, repeated to Bucharest.

Dept now believes no useful purpose would be served by presenting detailed reply to Molotov’s note of March 17 or taking any further action in Moscow prior to forthcoming conference of heads of Govts where we expect subject to be discussed in connection with situation in other ex-satellite states. Soviet Govt knows from President’s reply to Stalin’s proposal³ to establish diplomatic relations with these states that we remain unsatisfied with situation in Rumania.

Grew
H F[reeman] M[atthews]

1. In this telegram (file No. 740.00119 Control (Rumania)/3–1745) Harriman had transmitted the following paraphrase of a letter from Molotov in response to an American démarche of March 14:

   “The Soviet Government is of the opinion that following the formation in Rumania of the government of concentration of national democratic forces which established order and tranquility in that country, this having an important effect on the rail line communications of the Soviet armies, the situation in Rumania does not require that any special steps should be taken by the three principal Allies at the present time.

   “2. It should be pointed out that in setting forth the reasons for your proposals there is envisaged a broader interpretation of the Crimea decisions as set forth in the declaration on liberated Europe, than corresponds with the facts. The declaration in question, in so far as the mutual obligations of the three powers are concerned in relation to the former satellites and the measures which might be taken under certain conditions in those states, is based upon the presence therein of Allied Control Commissions. Certain obligations are imposed upon these commissions. However, the United States Government proposed that a tri-partite commission be set up for Rumania. This is directed toward the annulling of the Allied Control Commission in that country and to the emasculating the role of its chairman.

   “3. Your statement to the effect that the Allied Control Commission in Rumania never consulted the United States Government on events in that country does not conform to the facts. Vyshinski and Susaikov repeatedly discussed in Bucharest these events with Berry and Schuyler as well as with the British representatives all of whom were furnished complete information. It should be pointed out that these discussions and exchange of information were quite contrary to the situation in Italy where on no occasion did the Allied representatives on the Allied Control Commission in that country inform the Soviet representative of important measures undertaken.

   “In view of the above the Soviet Government cannot agree with the proposals of the American Government as contained in your letter of March 14.”

2. Not printed.
3. See document No. 285, footnote 5, and document No. 161.