C.F.M. Files: Lot M–88: Box 2063: Records of Decision

Record of Decisions, Council of Foreign Ministers, Second Session, Twelfth Meeting, Palais du Luxembourg, Paris, May 7, 1946, 5 p.m.

secret
C.F.M. (46) 12th Meeting, 7 May, 1946.

Present

U.S.A.
Mr. Byrnes (Chairman)
Mr. Dunn
Senator Connally
Senator Vandenberg
Mr. Cohen
Mr. Matthews
Mr. Bohlen
U.S.S.R. France
M. V. M. Molotov M. G. Bidault
M. A.Y. Vyshinsky M. Couve de Murville
M. F.T. Gousev Général Catroux
M. V.G. Dekanozov M. H. Alphand
U.K.
Mr. E. Bevin
Mr. H.M.G. Jebb
Sir Maurice Peterson
Mr. A. Duff Cooper
Mr. O.C. Harvey
Mr. Dixon
Lord Hood
Mr. Fitzmaurice
Mr. Marjoribanks
Mr. Gregory
[Page 284]

I. Peace Treaty With Bulgaria (C.F.M.(D)(B)(46)39 revised)60

1. Frontiers of Bulgaria

The Council adopted a proposal by the U.S. Delegation to include in the Peace Treaty a clause reading as follows:

“The frontiers of Bulgaria as shown on the annexed map shall be those which existed on 1st January, 1941.”

It was agreed to append an explanatory note to the effect that this text should be regarded as tentative in the case of the Greek-Bulgarian frontier until the Greek and Bulgarian Governments had had an opportunity of making an oral statement to the Council of Foreign Ministers or the Peace Conference of their respective views on this question.

2. Withdrawal of Allied forces

No agreement was reached on this point.

3. Separation

The Council decided to include in the Treaty Article 3 of the Draft Treaty tabled by the Soviet Delegation (C.F.M.(D)(B)(46) 5)61 on the understanding that the Greek and Yugoslav Governments would be allowed to submit their views for the consideration of the Peace Conference. The Soviet Delegation wished it to be made clear that this reservation should not constitute a precedent. No objection was raised by the Council to the Soviet reservation.

4. Equality of economic opportunity

Mr. Byrnes said that his remarks on this subject in connection with the treaty with Roumania (C.F.M.(46) 11th Meeting) applied equally to the treaties with Bulgaria and Hungary.

II. Peace Treaty With Hungary (C.F.M.(D)(B)(46)38 revised)60

1. Annulment of the Vienna Awards and other frontier questions

The U.S. Delegation suggested the insertion in the Treaty with Hungary of a text C.F.M.(46)57.62 It was agreed that the U.S. proposal would be considered at a later meeting.

2. Reparation

It was agreed to insert in the Treaty provisions dealing with reparation as proposed by the Soviet Delegation in Article 3 of C.F.M.(D)(B)(46)4,63 subject to the period of payment being extended from 6 to 8 years.

[Page 285]

Mr. Byrnes referred to the letter which Mr. Harriman at the time of the signature of the Armistice addressed to Mr. Molotov on the subject of Article 12 and reserved the right to re-open this question at the Peace Conference in the light of the economic situation in Hungary.

III. Next Meeting of the Council

The Council decided to hold its next meeting at 11 a.m. on 8th May to hear the Report of the Reparation Committee.

  1. Not printed.
  2. The Draft Treaty tabled by the Soviet Delegation is not printed, but the text of the article referred to here is included in the United States Delegation Record of this meeting, p. 272.
  3. Not printed.
  4. Dated May 8, p. 309.
  5. C.F.M. (46) (D) (B) 4, the Draft Treaty on Hungary tabled by the Soviet Delegation, is not printed.