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

881.00/7–245: Telegram

No. 667
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)¹

secret
us urgent

Washington, July 5, 1945—7 p.m.

3112. Your no. 3981, July 2, 6:00 p.m.²

1. It is our feeling that the Russians should be invited at once to send delegates to participate in the conversations. We see no reason why the small nations should wish to be invited at this time since the present conversations should be limited to preparing plans for the speedy replacement of Spanish control in Tangier by a temporary provisional regime pending a conference of all interested powers which would determine the future of the Zone.

2. In case the other great nations insist, we would of course have no serious objection to the participation of small nations in these conversations although their participation would unnecessarily complicate matters and result in further delay. It should be clearly understood that no attempt is to be made during the present conversations to draw plans for the permanent government of Tangier.

3. We do not see why Soviet Russia could not be given a position similar to that which we contemplated for ourselves.

Sent to London as no. 5478; repeated to Moscow as no. 1529, to Madrid as no. 1140.

Byrnes
J[oseph] C. G[rew]

1. The same message was sent at the same hour to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) as telegram No. 5478.
2. Document No. 662.