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

740.00119 (Potsdam)/7–2045

No. 804
Proposal by the Soviet Delegation

July 20, 1945

[Translation—Extracts¹]

The Yalta Declaration “On Liberated Europe”

Russian Proposal Presented to Foreign Ministers, July 20, 1945²

In connection with the note of the USA delegation³ regarding the Yalta declaration on liberated Europe the Soviet Government deem it necessary to declare that they cannot agree to the statements regarding Rumania and Bulgaria expounded in the above-mentioned note.

The Soviet Government feel obliged to draw the attention of the USA Government to the fact that in Rumania and Bulgaria as well as in Finland and Hungary since the signature of the instruments of surrender by the Governments of these states,⁴ due order exists and legal power in acting [sic], which has authority and is trusted by the population of these states. The governments of these states faithfully carry out the obligations assumed by them under their respective instrument of surrender. Rumania and Bulgaria gave the United Nations serious assistance by their armed forces in the struggle against German troops having put out against our common enemy 10–12 divisions each. Under these circumstances the Soviet Government see no reasons for interfering in the domestic affairs of Rumania or Bulgaria.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In accordance with the aforesaid the Soviet Government consider necessary:

(1) to restore in the nearest days diplomatic relations with Rumania, Bulgaria, Finland and Hungary as further delay in this respect could not be justified;

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Soviet Government express their assurance that the above-mentioned measures will find the support of the Governments of Great Britain and the United States of America and will be carried out.

1. For the paragraphs of this proposal not printed here, see document No. 1064.
2. See ante, p. 150.
3. Document No. 745.
4. i. e., the armistice with Rumania, signed at Moscow, September 12, 1944 (Executive Agreement Series No. 490; 59 Stat. (2) 1712); the armistice with Bulgaria, signed at Moscow, October 28, 1944 (Executive Agreement Series No. 437; 58 Stat. (2) 1498); the armistice with Finland, signed at Moscow, September 19, 1944 (British and Foreign State Papers, vol. cxlv, p. 513); and the armistice with Hungary, signed at Moscow, January 20, 1945 (Executive Agreement Series No. 456; 59 Stat. (2) 1321).