740.00119 E.W./5–845: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 8—6:50 a.m.]
1516. ReEmbtel 1458, May 4, 2 p.m. Roberts has replied to Vyshinski’s letter of May 2 stating that the Soviet Government is aware of the reasons which prevent the British Government from accepting a Polish representative on the Reparations Commission at this stage. Even if an acceptable Polish Government had been formed by the time the Commission met, the British Government could not agree to participate in the work of a commission where Poland and Yugoslavia were represented while other countries like [Page 1211] Norway, Greece and the Netherlands, whose claims the British Government considered no less good, were excluded. The British Government accordingly adhered to its view that only the four powers who will be controlling Germany should have initial representation on the Commission.
Sent to Department as 1516; repeated to Paris as 109.