840.50 UNRRA/8–945: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 9—2:26 p.m.]
8016. Soviet delegation UNRRA Council meeting reports “impression” that Soviet Foreign Office has replied to Dept on Displaced Persons memorandum given to Molotov at Potsdam by Secretary of State.57 Kindly confirm receipt or non-receipt such reply and cable contents if any.
US delegation proposes to introduce resolution on subject of UNRRA authority to give relief to Displaced Persons unwilling to return immediately to their countries substantially in following sense:
“Resolved that the administration be authorized to carry out operations for the care of Displaced Persons as contemplated in Resolution 1, Part II (2),58 Resolution 5759 and Resolution 60,60 pending decisions to be reached after consultation with the Govts concerned and in agreement with the occupying, military or political authorities of the area in which the Displaced Persons concerned are located, as to the conditions in which such persons shall be repatriated, returned to their homes or removed to other areas.”
In absence of instructions from Moscow position of Soviet Delegation here is to stand on action taken at recent UNRRA meeting in Washington61 which they interpret as denial of authority to UNRRA to assist those unwilling to return immediately. Our view is that Washington vote did not accord or deny authority to UNRRA to assist such persons. Soviet representative on Displaced Persons present at Washington meeting is unwilling to transmit foregoing US proposal to Moscow for consideration. Kindly cable comment on proposed resolution and repeat to Moscow. If resolution approved request Moscow to secure Soviet Foreign Office acceptance and instruction to Soviet Delegation here to this effect.
Sent Dept as 8016, repeated Moscow as 279.