871.00/8–745: Telegram
The Acting American Representative in Rumania (Melbourne) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 8—10:28 a.m.]
533. Potsdam Declaration has caused all Rumanian political elements to consider next few weeks as crucial since they believe before the Allied Foreign Ministers meet,21 definite action must be taken to consolidate or overthrow Groza govt. While the opposition looks to the King to assume the initiative in instituting a change, the govt continues to enjoy and solicit Russian support.
The National Peasant, National Liberal leaders have now confirmed to me that they are united in working for a speedy overthrow of NDF (National Democratic Front) govt. The Socialist leader Titel Petrescu has explained to me that his party although nominally a NDF member finds it impossible to continue its participation in Communist-dominated govt.
Originally opposition decided to request King this week to dismiss Groza govt to organize another comprising these three parties and Communists. This would revive original coalition responsible for coup d’etat August 23 and would place technicians in Ministerial posts in Provisional Govt that would organize national elections.
[Page 563]However, opposition circles today discussed with approval a new plan whereby they would request King to call tripartite chiefs of ACC (Allied Control Commission) to meeting to inquire of each, in light of Potsdam Declaration, whether he was satisfied with present govt or desired King to effect changes. It is reported probable that this more subtle technique may, of course, be urged upon King.
King is placed in position strongly resembling one he occupied preceding formation of NDF Govt. It is believed he will refuse to take action upon original opposition plan without approval of Russians, who imposed NDF Govt, and without gaining Anglo-American support but his attitude toward new plan is not yet known. It is thought he would make preliminary inquiries of Allied missions before addressing a formal approach. Accordingly, Dept may wish to indicate its views for guidance of this Mission and General Schuyler.
Groza govt was cheered following Potsdam Declaration by Soviet announcement of resumption of diplomatic relations with Rumania22 which was interpreted by King and political opposition as a clear intention to reinforce the present regime and to make possible the accrediting of a NDF representative to attend London Peace Treaty session of Allied Foreign Ministers.
Groza and Foreign Minister Tatarescu, to consolidate their positions, are making arrangements to proceed to Moscow separately or together. Tatarescu has even addressed a formal note to Soviet authorities stating that he “awaits proposals from the Russians” to conclude a mutual defense pact. Groza government retains and uses the great weapon of political power to bind itself to Russians by speedily forming joint Russo-Rumanian companies23 for every phase of country’s economy, by seeking to grant without question or study every Russian economic demand under armistice and by filling country’s administration with Communist Party supporters who continue large-scale arrests to intimidate opposition. Government further reported to be planning a rush national election in September with hand-picked candidates to forestall any attempts by a new regime to organize free elections. This would defeat opposition plans to revise electoral law which they feel would necessitate 4 or 5 months’ delay and which would give a new government time to adjust internal administration sufficiently to assure a free election.
It is apparent present regime’s policy is to create an unsupportable position for any future “recognized democratic government” as provided by Potsdam Declaration with which peace treaties may be [Page 564] concluded. Opposition considers this month to be its last great opportunity for the predictable future to change what balanced Rumanians reluctantly call a “government of traitors” for a regime that would seek to uphold principles of democracy and national integrity.
Unless significant governmental changes are made shortly by Allied agreement, thoughtful observers feel that all hope for implementing American position as elaborated in telegrams to this Mission, notably Deptel 90, February 24 will be irretrievably lost. Groza government will continue by default and expressed American political desires for Rumania will be buried beneath Soviet initiative.
Repeated to Moscow as 147.
- The first meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers was to be held in London not later than September 1, 1945. See Report on the Tripartite Conference of Berlin, August 2, 1945, Part II, Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. ii, p. 1500. From September 11 to October 2, 1945, the Council of Foreign Ministers met in London to discuss the peace treaties with Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Finland. For documentation regarding this Conference, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. ii, pp. 99 ff.↩
- The Soviet announcement of the resumption of diplomatic relations with Rumania was made on August 6, 1945.↩
- The first of the Russo-Rumanian companies was agreed to in a convention between the USSR and Rumania, signed in Bucharest July 17, 1945, regarding the creation of a Soviet-Rumanian company for the exploration, exploitation, refining, and marketing of crude oil and oil products.↩