Moscow Embassy Files: 500 Foreign Ministers Meeting—Moscow
The People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov) to the American Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
Dear Mr. Ambassador: With respect to Mr. Byrnes’ proposal regarding the agenda for the forthcoming meeting of the three Foreign Secretaries I can inform you that the Soviet Government agrees with this proposal, but, on its part, introduces the following proposals.
It is suggested after point 5 in your letter60 (the disarming of the Japanese armed forces in northern China and their evacuation to Japan) to include on the agenda the two following questions: Firstly, concerning the withdrawal of United States forces from China and, secondly, concerning the withdrawal of British forces from Greece. In addition, the Soviet Government suggests that the first point of the agenda set forth by you be transferred to the end of the agenda. The Soviet Government also agrees with Mr. Byrnes’ proposal that the final agenda should be drawn up by mutual agreement among the Three Ministers when they meet in Moscow.
[Page 601]I also hope that when we meet personally I will be able to receive from you certain clarifications on various points of the agenda communicated by you.
Sincerely yours,
- Reference is to the letter of December 7, supra. ↩