871.00/9–545: Telegram
The American Representative in Rumania (Berry) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
646. Mr. Molotov’s reply95 to the note addressed by Ambassador Harriman to him on August 23 on the situation in Rumania justified [Page 609] the fears Rumanians have felt and I have expressed to the Department in recent telegrams, for the note gives further indication of the desire of the Soviet Government to retard a discussion and circumvent an honest settlement of the Rumanian problem.
Whereas, the Western Democracies have worked through word and deed toward preparing for the establishment of democratic institutions in Rumania, there are persistent indications that the Soviet Government is working toward a different goal.
The 3 numbered points in Mr. Molotov’s letter are such patent falsifications of the facts that answering them in the customary diplomatic language admittedly is a problem. The third point, when applied to the English and American representatives in Rumania, is such a colossal distortion that even Mr. Vishinski must have chuckled over it.
As seen from this level our course is clear. We must, if we are going to made good our commitments in Rumania, reply immediately to Mr. Molotov’s letter and in our reply, state in firm and clear language that we do not accept the Soviet analysis of the Rumanian situation. We should proceed to reiterate our request for immediate consultation, which shall be preceded by the resignation of the Groza government and that government of course, continuing to serve as an interim government pending a solution of the Rumanian problem by the three principal Allies. This seems to me to be a minimum of what we can accept from the Soviets.
Repeated London as 15 and Moscow as 202.