Office of the Historian

871.00/3–1345: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the American Representative in Rumania (Berry)

Washington, March 27, 1945—10 a.m.

157. Reurtel 181 March 13.38 The Department approves your decision not to attend the celebration at Cluj. As time goes on we should like you to be guided by the practical needs of your Mission in deciding to what degree you should enter into contact with the present Rumanian authorities, keeping in mind that the essential purpose of the instructions contained in the final paragraph of Department’s 114 March 9 was to avoid the implication that this Government had [Page 525] given support or approval to the change of government in Rumania or to the methods by which it was carried out.

The British Embassy understands that the Foreign Office expects to consult with us regarding the adoption of a parallel attitude toward the Groza Government. Meanwhile, though you might reasonably refrain from intercourse of a protocol character with the new authorities, you wall of course not permit a rigid interpretation of your instructions to prevent informal contacts with the government or to handicap the effective operation of your Mission.

The Department is recommending that the President make no reply to two messages from Groza dated March 10, the first conveying his greetings on the occasion of the installation of his Government and the second expressing Rumanian gratitude for the return of Transylvania. Although we understand that Le Bougetel has been directed to “inform the Rumanian Government” of Mr. Churchill’s receipt of similar messages you need take no similar action in this regard unless in your judgment circumstances should make it seem desirable.

Grew
  1. Not printed; it reported that it had been agreed by British Air Marshal Stevenson, General Schuyler, British Political Representative Le Rougetel, and the American Mission in Rumania that neither civilian nor military representatives of the American and British Missions would participate in the celebration at Cluj of the return of northern Transylvania to Rumanian administration because such participation might possibly be interpreted as tacit recognition and approval of the Groza government (871.00/3–1345).↩