740.00119 Control (Rumania)/4–2645: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
1209. Be closing by Soviet representatives of direct circuits from London to Sofia and Bucharest and routing of all UK-Bulgarian messages via Moscow (Caserta’s 147, Apr. 26 to you,93 also Sofia’s 92, Apr 1694), Brit FonOff was asked for its views re having Brit Embassy in Moscow make representations to Soviets looking to restoration of these direct circuits.
Pending establishment of direct circuit between US and these countries messages to and from US may be relayed via London or Moscow. For technical reasons the circuit via London is preferable.
FonOff agreed to instruct Brit Chargé at Moscow to inform Soviets that British Govt is at loss to understand action taken by ACC in Rumania and express hope that Soviet ACC Chairman will be instructed to authorize resumption of both postal and telegraphic services. Re Bulgaria he will state that routing of UK-Bulgarian telegrams via Moscow involves technical difficulties and ask that Soviet representative (ACC) in Bulgaria be instructed to authorize early resumption of telegraphic services via direct circuit London.
London favors parallel representation by you and Brit Chargé. Please consult with him and if you have had no reply re your previous action (mytel 926, Apr 21, your 1369, Apr 2695) urge upon Soviet officials concurrently with your Brit colleague necessity for immediate reopening of telecommunications service between US and Rumania. You may point out that for technical reasons it would be preferable to have messages between the United States and Bulgaria or Rumania relayed through London rather than Moscow.
Re postal service you should add that due notification was given Soviet authorities of US intention to reopen service, and it was authorized only after it became apparent Soviet officials had not indicated objections. Reiterate this Govt’s failure to understand ACC (Soviet) attitude that civil communications between Rumania and US were “premature”. For your info, while it was not stated postal service between US and Bulgaria was closed, Post Office reports no mail pouches received from Bulgaria this year.
Telegraph report.