Office of the Historian

840.70/8–2445: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, August 24, 1945—5 p.m.
[Received August 24—4:45 p.m.]

8636. From ECITO Delegation. European Inland Transport Conference reconvened this morning Aug 24 with Soviet and Polish delegations absent. Soviets had arrived evening of 22nd and were informed 24 hours in advance of time of meeting. They gave no indication of not intending to be present. About one-half hour before meeting this morning they informed Foreign Office of inability to be present because of not having received instructions. Gousev58 confirmed this when telephoned by Noel-Baker59 who with Ronald60 regards this as “blackmail on account of Rumania”.61

Poles sent word that their principal delegates had not arrived and others were delayed by an aviation meeting.62

Czechs stated they were present only as observers pending arrival of delegate.

Yugos stated were present only as observers.

After short speech by Noel-Baker and brief discussion conference recessed until Tuesday afternoon August 28 with understanding that [Page 1410] draft agreement as attached to provisional agreement should be basis of discussion and that various suggestions for modifications might be submitted at that time.

Before meeting (reEmtel 8456 Aug 21 and 8555, Aug 2363) Noel-Baker agreed to refrain until next meeting from proposing admission of press to all sessions. He did propose all work of conference be done in full conference session and not in committee. No objection was made. Conference Secretariat preparing press release stating Conference being reconvened without any detail as to delegations present. Noel-Baker’s opening remarks being included.

Winant

[The Agreement Concerning the Establishment of a European Central Inland Transport Organization and the Annex, Protocol Relating to Traffic on Inland Waterways, were signed at London on September 27, 1945. For texts, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 494, or 59 Stat. (pt. 2) 1740.]

  1. Fedor Tarasovieh Gousev (Gusev), Soviet Ambassador in the United Kingdom.↩
  2. Philip J. Noel-Baker, British Minister of State.↩
  3. Nigel Bruce Ronald, British Acting Assistant Under-Secretary of State.↩
  4. Possibly reference is to the United States and United Kingdom insistence that Rumania continue to be represented by an observer.↩
  5. At the third meeting of the Conference on August 28 the Soviet and Polish delegates were present.↩
  6. Neither printed.↩