Moscow Embassy Files: 500 Foreign Ministers Meeting–Moscow
The American Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov)
Dear Mr. Molotov: Mr. Byrnes proposes the following items for the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the three Foreign Ministers:
- 1.
- Consideration of the proposal for a United Nations Commission to consider the control of atomic energy.
- 2.
- The question of reconvening the Council of Foreign Ministers including resumption of work by their deputies in the preparation of settlements for a peace conference.
- 3.
- Terms of reference of the Allied Council and of the Far Eastern Commission.
- 4.
- The establishment of an independent Korean Government.
- 5.
- The disarming of the Japanese armed forces in northern China and their evacuation to Japan.
- 6.
- The transfer of control of Manchuria to the National Government of China.
- 7.
- The withdrawal of Allied troops from Iran.
- 8.
- The conditions which would permit recognizing the Governments of Rumania and Bulgaria.
You will note that except for the addition of atomic energy the topics are substantially the same as those I mentioned to you as possible matters for discussion on November 24th.59
Mr. Byrnes hopes that both the British and Soviet Governments will each propose items for the agenda and suggests that the final agenda be drawn up by mutual agreement between the three Foreign Ministers when they meet in Moscow. He has asked me to explain to you that it would be most helpful if he could obtain from you as soon as possible the items which the Soviet Government desires to propose for inclusion on the agenda.
Mr. Byrnes has tentatively set December 12 as the date of his departure from Washington. I expect to be able to inform you shortly regarding Mr. Byrnes’ precise plans and the names of the other members of his party.
Is there any further information which you wish me to obtain for you at this time?
Sincerely yours,