740.00119 Council/9–2745
The British Prime Minister (Attlee) to President Truman 30
No. 12. Reference my No. 11.31 Following is text of reply received from Premier Stalin.
[Page 379]Begins.
I have received your message concerning disagreements in regard to the Council of Ministers.
The position of M. Molotov in this matter is determined by the necessity of accurately carrying out the decision of the Berlin Conference which is clearly set forth in paragraph 3(B) of the decision regarding the Council of Ministers. The decision taken by the Council of Ministers on September 11th is unacceptable as it conflicts with this decision of the Berlin Conference.
It is thus a question not of the procedure of work of the Council of Ministers but of whether the Council of Foreign Ministers has the right to waive particular points in the decisions of the Berlin Conference. In my opinion we should deprive the Berlin decisions of value if we admitted for a moment the right of the Council of Foreign Ministers to waive these decisions.
I consider that to amend the error which has been committed and thus to reinstate the decision of the Berlin Conference as urged by M. Molotov cannot give rise to a negative attitude towards the Conference and the Council of Ministers and can be offensive to nobody.
Ends.