740.00119 EW/9–845
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—4:30 p.m.]
3212. ReDepts 1964, Sept 6, 7 p.m. Dept’s views on future work of ACR reached me last evening. As Molotov was leaving for London this morning I immediately addressed to him urgent letter containing [Page 1286] paraphrase in order that he might receive it prior to his departure early this morning. Pavlov,26 Molotov’s interpreter, informed a secretary of the Embassy by telephone last night that the letter had been received, translated and would be delivered to Molotov.
I have not been attending recent meetings of ACE as Novikov, Soviet representative, has no discretion to negotiate and only reiterates previously stated Soviet Govt position. In addition he is of a rank in Foreign Office with whom business is conducted in this protocol minded Govt by other officers of the Embassy than the Ambassador. Colonel Crandall, head of Supply Division of our Military Mission, has attended representing Embassy. I have also kept in constant personal contact with General Draper who I feel has done everything possible in dealing with the situation with which he was confronted.
I am glad to learn of the firm and fair position the Dept has taken in message under reference in which I concur. I hope there will be no substantial deviation from it as I am fearful of the confusion and irritations which would be caused by future meetings of the ACE in Moscow.
Sent Dept for Clayton as Nr 3212, to London to Winant for Byrnes as 440, to Paris for Caffery as 342, to Berlin for Murphy as 75.
[For documentation concerning discussion of reparations and restitution from Germany at the First Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, held in London, September 11–October 2, 1945, see volume II, entries in index under Council of Foreign Ministers: Reparations from Germany.]
- Vladimir Nikolayevich Pavlov, Personal Secretary and Interpreter to the Chairman. Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union.↩