Office of the Historian

711.71/12–1646: Telegram

The Representative in Rumania (Berry) to the Secretary of State

secret
Bucharest, December 16, 1946—1 p.m.
[Received 2:34 p.m.]

1148. From 3-hour general conversation with Minister of National Economy Gheorghiu-Dej and his Under Secretary Aurer, it was evident Govt is extremely disturbed over prospects of wide-spread famine this winter. The Minister said enough food exists by severe rationing to last through January. Unless adequate help arrives then starvation will be general. He said there has already been trouble in Moldavia and he anticipated growing unrest. He hinted opposition leaders are stirring up trouble and indicated he was by no means certain Govt could maintain order.

Minister again said he would like to go to US to try to negotiate purchase or loan of sufficient amount of corn to tide Rumania over [Page 670] until next cereal harvest (remytel 1048, of November 1072). I suggested it might be better to postpone consideration of such trip until after signing of peace treaty. He replied that normally such was true but because of grave emergency one could not wait for normal processes.

As Dept knows, Gheorghiu-Dej is Secretary General of Rumanian Communist Party. He is unassuming acting, sincere appearing person whose education has been limited to his experience and what books he could read while in prison. He has an open mind and is impressed by material achievement. Taking long view, I am inclined to think we would benefit more than lose by his educational trip to US. I shall appreciate Dept’s views.

Berry
  1. Not printed; in this telegram Mr. Berry reported on several recent private conversations with Gheorghiu-Dej who stressed Rumania’s need for foreign capital and explained Rumania’s wishes to establish close economic relations with the United States. Gheorghiu-Dej also spoke of the possibility of an official delegation, possibly including himself, going to the United States to discuss a loan of grain to meet Rumania’s immediate needs and to take up the general question of American capital being invested in Rumania. (711.71/11–1046)↩