840.50 UNRRA/10–3145: Telegram
The Ambassador in Czechoslovakia (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 4—1:18 a.m.]
516. Immediately upon receipt of the Dept’s 337 of Oct 26 I asked Alexejev, Chief of the UNRRA Mission in Zecho, to call to see me. At a conference this afternoon I brought to his attention the facts reported in my 330 of Sept 10 to the Dept and referred to the principles enunciated in various resolutions on policy of the UNRRA Council as well as specific provisions of the Zecho–UNRRA agreement of Feb 26, 1945. I also called his attention to the criticism prevalent in Praha and the US of UNRRA operations in Zecho and enumerated to him the four principal criticisms: (a) Failure to adequately inform the Zecho public of the role played by the US in UNRRA, (b) allowing the belief to prevail in some quarters that UNRRA supplies originate with the Soviet Union, (c) permitting UNRRA supplies to be distributed to obtain local political advantages, (d) failure to provide any food or clothing for the children or destitute of Praha.
In reply Alexejev pointed out that efforts have been made since the arrival of Hitchcock21 as Press Relations Officer to publicize the participation of the US in UNRRA and referred to recent newspaper clippings as evidence that the corrective steps had not been without success. As to the belief in some quarters that UNRRA supplies originate with the Soviet Union, Alexejev cited two instances in local communities where the population had indicated that they were aware of the fact that UNRRA supplies were largely provided by the US, adding that in his opinion much of the population was by now aware of this fact. As to the receipt by the Soviet Army of a considerable quantity of UNRRA canned meat in Brno, Alexejev said that this matter was still under investigation, the preliminary inquiry having disclosed that there has been “an exchange” with the Soviet Army of UNRRA canned meat for fresh meat. Alexejev then admitted that there had been maldistribution of UNRRA supplies in some places which might have occasioned talk of political advantages for some and said that he was taking corrective measures. These measures he said would include the opening of an office in Bratislava and a more thorough inspection wherever distribution is made. As to the failure to provide any food or clothing for Praha he at first suggested that American voluntary organizations meet this requirement [Page 1037] saying that conferences were being held with Dr. Sharp and Mrs. Gates on this subject. When I pointed out that the city of Praha with seven percent of the entire population of Zecho was entitled to at least some share of UNRRA deliveries to Zecho irrespective of any aid that might be rendered by American relief agencies, he was inclined to agree observing that this was a matter for the Czech authorities.
I gained the impression that Alexejev is seriously concerned with the criticism which his administration has avoided [incurred?] and that subject to his limited capabilities and experience and such instructions as he may receive from time to time from the Soviet Embassy he is making a serious effort to remove the causes of complaint. He said he welcomed the impending arrival of Richard Brown who as his administrative assistant would be placed in charge of distribution.
In fairness to Alexejev I should add that substantial progress has been made during the past few weeks in correcting the erroneous impression regarding the origin of UNRRA supplies.
In view of the arrival in Praha of Hitchcock as Press Relations Officer for UNRRA and the impending arrival of Brown as Deputy Chief, both of whom are Americans, I suggest that no further action be taken by the Dept until the result of their joint efforts can be appraised. I shall, of course, continue to report developments. As soon as Alexejev has completed his investigation of the Brno incident and reported to UNRRA I will furnish the Dept with any further information obtainable. I request that the Embassy’s source of information be protected.
- Edward B. Hitchcock, Public Relations Officer, UNRRA Mission to Czechoslovakia.↩