861.24/8–1345
The Foreign Economic Administrator (Crowley) to the Chairman of the Government Purchasing Commission of the Soviet Union in the U.S.A. (Rudenko)
Dear General Rudenko: Reference is made to the agreement dated June 6, 1943 between the Office of Lend-Lease Administration and the Government Purchasing Commission of the Soviet Union with respect to engineers and technicians from the United States who may perform duties within the U.S.S.R. in connection with the installation of projects transferred to the U.S.S.R. under the terms of the Lend-Lease Act. There are at present in the U.S.S.R., under this agreement, certain engineers and technicians performing duties in connection with the construction of the Second Protocol Oil Refineries and the construction of the tire manufacturing plant transferred to the U.S.S.R. under the Lend-Lease Act. A portion of the cost of these engineers and technicians is being paid for by the United States on a lend-lease basis.
We wish to advise your Government that upon the cessation of hostilities against Japan, the services of these engineers and technicians presently in the U.S.S.R. will cease to be eligible for provision on lend-lease terms. However, it is my understanding that the construction of the two projects referred to is approaching completion and it is not contemplated that the services of these engineers and technicians will be required for more than a few months longer. Accordingly, in order to avoid serious interference with the installation of the two projects in question, the United States would be prepared to continue the present arrangements under the agreement of June 6, 1943 provided that your Government will reimburse the FEA in dollars for the full cost to the United States of the services of these engineers and technicians on and after V–J Day, as proclaimed by the President of the United States. The continuation of the present arrangements on such a reimbursable basis will be subject to termination [Page 1031] upon notice to the Purchasing Commission by the FEA. It is suggested that reimbursement be made upon the presentation of bimonthly bills to the Purchasing Commission by the FEA—the first bill to cover costs up to and including the last day of the second month following the month in which V–J Day shall occur.
It is urged that you advise me promptly if your Government agrees to such reimbursement, since, in the absence of such an agreement, it will be necessary for us to recall the engineers and technicians from the U.S.S.R.
In view of the imminence of V–J Day, and unless major unforeseen developments in the military situation arise, I wish to advise you that we shall probably not be able to furnish your Government with the operators from the United States requested in connection with the operation of the Second Protocol Refineries. I wish, therefore, to suggest that your Government may desire to make its own arrangements for the obtaining of operators for this purpose.
Sincerely yours,