740.00119 Control (Rumania)/3–845: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
569. The Department does not feel that Mr. Molotov’s two letters24 summarized in your 656 March 7 and 683 March 825 provide any substantial reassurance with respect to the problems we have in mind in connection with Rumania. The formation of the new Government has not dissipated our concern, but merely served to strengthen our conviction that it is important immediately to arrange for Allied consultation on the Rumanian situation.
You are accordingly directed to address to the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs the formal request of this Government that the Soviet Government agree that the three principal Allies should proceed immediately to consult together on the measures necessary to discharge with respect to Rumania their joint responsibilities set forth in the Crimea Declaration on Liberated Europe. You should say that we feel strongly that recent events in that country, concerning which we were at no time consulted or adequately informed by the Soviet Government, make it necessary for representatives of the three Governments to meet and examine together the issues involved, with a view to arriving at a genuinely concerted policy and procedure in assisting the Rumanians to solve their pressing political problems and to ensuring that they are on the road to the “establishment through free elections of governments responsive to the will of the people.” You may add that American public opinion is watchful of our responsibilities as set forth in the Declaration with respect to the former Axis satellite states.
Although the British Government has suggested Washington as a venue, we believe that consultation on this matter can best take place in the first instance at Moscow, where you and your British colleague can engage in direct discussions with Mr. Molotov or his representative. [Page 511] Please propose urgently, therefore, that dispositions be made whereby Mr. Molotov or his representative will initiate joint conversations at the earliest possible moment looking to the formulation of agreed policies and procedures for implementing the Yalta decisions in the case of Rumania. You may say that we would propose, for example, that after the general policies and procedures have been agreed upon, their proper application should be ensured by setting up in Bucharest a joint committee composed of three political representatives to be designated by the three Allied Governments respectively for the purpose.
Please stress the urgency which we attach to this matter.
Detailed instructions for your guidance will of course be forwarded if Soviet and British agreement to the consultation is forthcoming.
The Embassy in London is being requested to seek British concurrence in our proposal that the consultation take place in Moscow.
Sent to Moscow; repeated to London and Bucharest.26