740.00119 Council/12–1247: Telegram
The United States Delegation at the Council of Foreign Ministers to the Department of State
6458. Delsec 1545. For Lincoln White and Stone from McDermott. Following Secretary’s remarks at CFM today:62
First, in reply to Molotov’s request for information by Monday on many German enterprises bought by Americans, and information as to profits made by sale of coal and timber: Answering Mr. Molotov’s questions, we have no properties secured by private interests in the US Zone, or by the US Government. There have been no profits on coal or timber that have not been returned directly to the German economy. To be very exact in this matter I will submit tomorrow in writing this statement,63 so that there can be no misunderstanding about it, and the Soviet delegation will be permitted to see it.
Second, Molotov said he knew there was plan for French Zone to fuse with UK-US, that main role would be played by US, to which Secretary replied “Anent the economic unification of Britain and America [apparent omission] that would merely create four barriers instead of three. This certainly would not promote German unification. With reference to Molotov’s comment on understanding of plan for tri-zone agreement, which would include French Government with British and US Governments, I categorically deny that; there is no such plan, tentative or otherwise” and referred to preamble and paragraph 12 of agreement signed in New York December 2, by Bevin and Byrnes.64 Molotov replied it is difficult to deny that existence of separate agreement for fusion is main difficulty in unification. Secretary said “I think it is difficult to deny a condition which does not exist at all except in way of perversion and deliberate misconstruction such [Page 769] as has been the case in regard to this perfectly reasonable and unavoidable bizonal agreement”.
Third, Molotov delivered long statement which he repeated USSR charges made in ACC on conditions in Bizonia as affecting reparations, German expansionist policies, coal prices, etc., to which Secretary replied: “I think it is evident that Mr. Molotov’s remarks were not designed for serious discussion at this stage. It is evident that they were intended for another audience and for quite another purpose. In the circumstances, I have no comment to make on such a pure propaganda statement, but I would add this: Considering the purpose for which and the circumstances in which we are gathered here, and considering the position we occupy in our respective governments, I think Mr. Molotov must recognize that such a method of procedure makes it rather difficult to inspire respect for the dignity of the Soviet Government”.
- For the summary report on this Council meeting, see supra.↩
- For the text of the statement by the United States Delegation under reference here, circulated to the Council as document CFM(47) (L)32, December 13, 1947, see Department of State Bulletin, December 21, 1947, p. 1205 or Documents on International Affairs, 1947–1948, pp. 521–522.↩
- For text, see Department of State Treaties and Other International Acts Series 1575 or Germany 1947–1949, pp. 450–453.↩