Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume V

871.00/8–945: Telegram

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

Washington, August 11, 1945—3 p.m.

416. Soviet Embassy on Aug. 6 informed Dept of Soviet Govt’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with Rumania. This decision, while it is in conformity with Potsdam agreements (Section X of communiqué), was taken on the initiative of the Soviet Govt alone and does not imply uniformity of attitudes of three Allied Govts toward Groza regime.

Preparation of peace treaty for Rumania by Council of Foreign Ministers, in accordance wtih section X of Potsdam communiqué, need not be delayed by absence of diplomatic relations between Rumania and one or more of Allied Govts concerned. Potsdam agreement provides that treaty will be concluded with a “recognized democratic govt”.

Dept hopes that political situation in Rumania will develop in such a way as to permit this Govt also to establish diplomatic relations with Rumania. In view of unrepresentative character of Groza Govt however Dept does not contemplate taking such a step at present time. Our attitude of reserve toward Groza Govt was made clear to Soviet and Brit Govts, as well as to Rumanians, at time it was installed. Subsequent events have merely served to confirm this opinion.

In your contacts with Rumanian officials and political leaders you should be guided by Dept’s views as set forth in Deptels 90 February 24, 157 March 27 and in present tel. Should opposition leaders approach you (reurtels 533 Aug. 7 and 539 Aug. 9),²⁵ you may be guided in your statements by the consideration that it is not our purpose to discourage such leaders in their attempts to secure freedom of expression for all democratic groups or to present their case to the Rumanian people and to world opinion for a more representative Govt. Without replying directly to questions which may be put to you concerning your Govt’s attitude toward a particular plan of action, you may let it be known in general terms that this Govt hopes to see established in Rumania, through the efforts of the Rumanians themselves, and if necessary with the assistance of the three Allied Govts as provided in the Crimea Declaration on Liberated Europe, a more representative regime, and that the US Govt looks forward to the establishment of diplomatic relations with a Rumanian Govt in which all important democratic parties are represented or which issues from free elections.

In such conversations as you may have you may refer to relevant parts of President’s report to the nation Aug 9²⁶ (Radio Bulletin 190). Note that with reference to press correspondents (see section X of Potsdam communiqué) the President said “The three Govts agreed at Berlin that the Allied press would enjoy full freedom from now on to report to the world upon all developments in Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland.”

Sent to Bucharest, repeated to London and Moscow.²⁷

Byrnes

25. Latter not printed; it reported that all Rumanian opposition political leaders were awaiting, as a vital and urgent factor for Rumania’s independence, an official interpretation that the Groza government was not considered as a “recognized democratic government” under the terms of the Potsdam Declaration (871.00/8–945).
26. For text of President Truman’s report to the nation on the Berlin Conference, delivered by radio from the White House at 10 p.m., August 9. 1945, see Department of State Bulletin, August 12, 1945, p. 208.
27. As telegrams 6818 and 1803, respectively.