840.50 UNRRA/7–2745: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 27—6:30 a.m.]
2687. UNRRA delegation to Poland arrived in Moscow on July 23. Members are Menshikov,15 Weisl, Teesdale, Stein, and Americans Hays, Wilson, Anderson, Schacter, Holle, and Miss Mott. They came via Tehran and Moscow at insistence of Menshikov and Russians. They were met here by Vice Commissar of Foreign Trade Sergeev and entertained by him at an elaborate luncheon following day. Menshikov apparently intends to keep delegation here for several days despite outspoken desire of the other members to proceed to Poland and get to work as soon as possible.
Members of the commission have confidentially stated that there was no reason for entry via Moscow insofar as UNRRA is concerned and they deplore extra $20,000 expended and time lost in order to enter via this route. They comment that there is obviously strong Russian interest in having them arrive in Poland only after stopping in Moscow. They have also been greatly perturbed over delay of several months due to Russia’s refusal to grant permission to enter Poland and were considerably annoyed when Soviet representatives moved to have expunged from the minutes of committee meeting in London statement to effect that unwillingness of the Soviet Government to grant visas to them or [for?] entry to Poland had been sole cause of delay. Soviet representative insisted on substitution therefor of statement that delay had occurred as a result of the failure of the Polish Govt, to invite delegation. Despite the fact that the committee had had in hand for some time a telegram from Polish Provisional Govt, extending such invitation and despite outspoken opposition of non-Soviet members of committee Lehman directed from UNRRA Hqs that minutes be changed to meet Soviet wishes.
Menshikov who in addition to his job as Deputy Director General is now head of Bureau of Services16 of UNRRA in charge of health, welfare and displaced persons was originally instructed to stay in Poland only long enough to negotiate basic agreement with Polish Govt covering UNRRA operations and to leave implementation of agreement to an American successor. Just before leaving Washington, however, Menshikov succeeded in having his orders changed to include his remaining in charge in Warsaw throughout initial period of operations after agreement is concluded. Delegation members [Page 999] confidentially report that strenuous efforts are still being made to get a Russian appointed as head of the delegation to Poland and suspect that Frantisek Weisl who in addition to his position as Vice Chief of the delegation is permanent Chief of the [Central and] Eastern European Division of Bureau of Areas17 is cooperating closely with Menshikov.
Teesdale the accountant is much perturbed over Russia’s insistence on retaining the 5.3 official rate for UNRRA transactions in Russia rather than granting the diplomatic rate of twelve to one. Inasmuch as the delegation intends to depart for Poland within 2 or 3 days and in accordance with special instructions the US Army Finance Officer here is prepared to provide up to 6,000 gold seal dollars in US currency for the running expenses of the group during first three months in Poland, the problem is not at present an acute one. Teesdale feels, however, that Russians themselves are likely to request large deliveries from UNRRA and that in that event rate would be extremely important in reimbursement of salaries paid and expenses incurred in Russia.
Sent Dept. as 2687, repeated London as 379 and Paris for Lane18 as 257.
- Mikhail Alekseevich Menshikov, Deputy Director General, UNRRA Bureau of Services; also Chief of the temporary UNRRA delegation to Poland.↩
- As a result of a reorganization order of May 3, 1945, the Bureau of Areas became the Bureau of Services.↩
- Following the reorganization of May 3, 1945, Mr. Weisl became Adviser, Office of Country Mission Affairs.↩
- Arthur B. Lane, Ambassador to Poland, was en route to Warsaw via Paris.↩