871.00/8–2446: Telegram
The Representative in Rumania (Berry) to the Secretary of State
urgent
[Received 1:45 p.m.]
821. After giving very careful consideration to every fragment of Evidence concerning Groza government’s election intentions, I come inescapably to conclusion it is not intention of Government to hold free and unfettered elections required by Moscow decisions. Moreover Rumanian Government’s attitude has full support of Soviet Government.
This situation demands a decision from US. If we are liable to insist upon reasonable compliance with Moscow decisions and therefore plan to recognize results of Rumanian elections no matter how fraudulent simple justice requires us now so to inform leaders of opposition parties who are staking existence of their parties as well as their own lives upon our good faith.
Should we permit opposition leaders to go into elections without this knowledge we must expect those who have been our friends in Eastern Europe to say that we have shrugged our shoulders at our obligations, let down all democratic elements of this country and given coat of white-wash to Groza fagade of Communist Party.
If, on other hand, we are going to insist on free and unfettered elections for Rumania according to our interpretation of those words it is important to confirm now to Rumanian representatives in Paris [Page 623] that such is our intention adding if Government takes contrary course it will incur from us consequences where and as we are able to apply them (remytel 753, August 3).
In Rumania we are not able to do much at this time to bring about an acceptance of our viewpoint except by holding to a firm line politically. In Western World however, we could in all matters concerning Rumania act so as to prevent divergence from growing up between our official statements and our day by day actions.
Repeated Secdel Paris 114.