740.00119 E.W./8–945: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:50 p.m.]
2818. From Pauley. British representative56 here looks with favor on a proposal of ours for invitations to countries entitled to reparations from the Western Zone[s] of Germany. In the draft57 of this proposal the USSR is not included as an inviting country but we will submit this suggested invitation to them for their consideration with a statement that if they desire we shall be glad to have them join with us as an inviting power. Of course, if they do not desire to sponsor this invitation with us we will still make it clear to them that they will be invited to the proposed conference. In any event we believe that we must proceed immediately to discharge our responsibility for canvassing those nations who are entitled to reparation deliveries from the Western Zones of Germany.
Inasmuch as the Berlin Protocol58 requires a determination of what is to be removed from Western Zones within 6 months and for interim deliveries even sooner we are unwilling to delay proceeding with other nations waiting upon the USSR. These other nations have a right equal to that of the USSR to select and receive interim or other deliveries as quickly as the USSR.
Immediately upon the arrival of the French we shall submit this proposal to them for approval. The draft of the proposal is being forwarded in my immediately following telegram.
Repeated to London for Winant and Clayton as 392, to Paris for Caffery as 278, Dept please repeat to Berlin for Parten59 and Ambassador Murphy, Political Division, USGCC (United States Group Control Commission). [Pauley.]