Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

611.60C31/12–1446

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Eastern European Affairs (Thompson)

[Washington,] December 14, 1946.

Mr. Zoltowski said Mr. Minc had been somewhat surprised and disappointed at the time that had been lost at the opening meeting in discussing an agenda. Most of the questions which he had washed to discuss had been stricken off, whereas we were proposing to add additional ones of interest to the United States which the Poles had not contemplated discussing.

I showed him my memorandum of his conversation with Mr. Acheson on November 18⁷⁴ and explained that we interpreted these points to include the matter of adequate compensation. I also pointed out that in considering the terms of reference for a mixed claims commission we found it necessary to get into the question of compensation since it was very difficult to draw up terms of reference unless there was an understanding as to how compensation was to be arranged. After considerable discussion Mr. Zoltowski indicated that they could probably agree to interpret the fourth point submitted by Mr. Acheson to include at least a discussion of the method of compensation.

Mr. Zoltowski pressed for including on the agenda such items as the Polish gold and cotton credits. He suggested that we might draw up two separate lists, one which the Poles wished to discuss and one which we wished to discuss.

I pointed out that there was considerable difference between the question of Polish gold and the question of credits. I said I personally felt that there would probably be little difficulty in the question of the gold being raised if we found satisfactory solutions to the other problems but that I did not know to what extent Mr. Clayton would be willing to discuss credits. I pointed out that on the question of aviation we did not contemplate drawing up an agreement here and now, nor was there any very formal question involved in the discussion of commercial policy. It, therefore, seemed to me that the Poles could express their ideas in connection with the general discussion. Mr. Clayton had agreed that they could raise other matters, but this was quite different from agreeing to a formal agenda item.

Mr. Zoltowski said that Mr. Minc had expected that at the first meeting two subcommittees would be set up, one to discuss compensation and the other to discuss commercial policy. The plenary session would discuss the aviation agreement, coal and other questions.

I said I thought that the setting up of such subcommittees would be welcomed by us.

Mr. Zoltowski inquired when they would receive our document on compensation. I replied that the reference to a document had been made in reply to their request for a list of the additional subjects we wished to discuss. This had apparently already been covered by our conversation. I said, however, that we had been working on draft clauses for the agreement on a mixed claims commission. I did not know how soon we would be able to present these.

Mr. Zoltowski urged that this draft be presented before the question was discussed. He thought Mr. Minc would find it much easier if he knew the type of thing we had in mind and pointed out that otherwise much time might be lost in interpreting just what the four points submitted by Mr. Acheson meant. If the Poles could receive such a paper well in advance of a meeting at which compensation was to be discussed, he felt sure that Mr. Minc would then be prepared to discuss the problem in broad terms. I undertook to ascertain whether this could be done. Mr. Zoltowski urged that since the first meeting had gone so badly it would be well if the next meeting started with a discussion of coal, which would allow Mr. Minc to express some of his views. At the same meeting we could set up two subcommittees, one to discuss compensation, the other commercial policy questions. The other points which the Poles wished to raise would be left in abeyance. Of course, if they got a document from us on compensation in time, meaning early Monday, Mr. Minc would probably be willing to discuss that question. I said I thought this would be satisfactory and would endeavor to find out.⁷⁵

I said I thought the question of aviation could be quickly disposed of Mr. Zoltowski agreed and said that, speaking off the record, this question would be much easier to settle now than it would have been previously. I gained the strong impression from his manner that he meant to imply that the Russians had now removed a restriction on their negotiating a civil air agreement.

I explained that Mr. Clayton had a meeting earlier in the afternoon and would like to set the meeting with Mr. Minc at 4:30. Mr. Zoltowski said this would be satisfactory.

Llewellyn E. Thompson

74. Memorandum of conversation not printed, but for an account of the Acheson–Zoltowski meeting, see telegram 1116, November 22, to Warsaw, p. 519.
75. At the next plenary meeting of the American and Polish enconomic negotiators on December 16, it was in fact agreed to form subcommittees to discuss the problems of compensation and commercial policy, after which a long discussion was held regarding the coal problem in Poland. (Memorandum of conversation, December 16, 1946, filed under 860C.50/12–1646)