Leahy Papers: Telegram
No. 82
The Commanding General, United States Military Mission
in the Soviet Union (Deane) to
the Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force (Eisenhower)
urgent
To ETOUSA forward for General Eisenhower and info to AGWar for General Marshall’s Eyes Only signed Deane top sec MX 24748 copy sent all.
Harriman spoke to Vyshinski last night1 concerning the necessity for General Parks’ reconnaissance party to proceed to Berlin at once in order to make arrangements for the American delegation at the Berlin July conference.
Vyshinski said it would be futile for Parks and his party to go to Berlin prior to Marshal Zhukov’s return, as there were no Soviet officers left in Berlin who could act with authority on the questions that would arise. Vyshinski told Harriman that the Soviet authorities were fully aware of the problems involved and that as soon as Zhukov [Page 112] returns to Berlin, intensive preparations for the conference would start. Vyshinski assured Harriman that there was no need for worry.
The British have had the same response to their efforts to introduce a reconnaissance party to Berlin. Field Marshal Montgomery is sending a letter to Zhukov on the same subject through the British Mission in Moscow.
Harriman is again going to see Vyshinski, who is apparently to have an active part in the conference preparations. At this meeting Harriman will attempt to obtain the Russian views on the arrangements for the conference.
Harriman may also suggest that he and Vyshinski go to Berlin together after General Parks has been in Berlin for a few days, in the hope that he can obtain Soviet decisions on the spot that will assist General Parks in carrying out his mission.
You may wish to send a message to Zhukov which would include the major questions to which you require immediate answers. If so, I will attempt to get such message to Zhukov here in Moscow through Antonov.
- See document No. 78.↩