Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

840.50/2–2845: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, February 28, 1945—10 a.m.
[Received February 28—7:10 a.m.]

572. ReDeptel 359, February 17, midnight.⁵³ I have received a note from Vyshinski⁵⁴ dated February 26, which states that the Soviet Government agrees to initiate conversations of an exploratory character with representatives of the Governments of the US, Great Britain and France on the creation of a European Economic Committee and a European Coal Organization and to discuss the questions set forth in the amended terms of reference as contained in Balfour’s⁵⁵ letter of January 21 (reEmbs 223, January 24, 4 p.m.⁵⁶).

The note continues that the Soviet Government, considering a discussion of these questions important, does not object to the proposed conference in London between Soviet, British, American and French representatives for the purpose of creating a European Economic Committee and a European Coal Organization. To participate in these conversations the Soviet Government has appointed as its representatives the trade representative of the USSR in London, D. B. Borisenko, and Professor Bayar.⁵⁷

Sent to the Department repeated to London.

Harriman

53. See footnote 44, p. 1420.
54. Andrey Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, First Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union; note not printed.
55. John Balfour, British Minister in the Soviet Union.
56. Not printed.
57. Representative of the Soviet Commissariat of Foreign Trade.