740.00119 EW/12–2447: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy)
2529. Following is reply to Belgrade’s tel 2335, Dec 18,45 repeated to Frankfurt as Belgrade’s no. 6 (Repolad’s 3784, Dec 2446):
“Dept’s position re resumption reparation deliveries to Soviet satellites not expected to be determined before end first week January. (Reembtel 2335, Dec 18) Although it has been standard practice to permit reparation teams of IARA Countries to enter Germany to supervise packing and shipment of plants ready for delivery, present uncertainties as to future treatment Soviet satellites, including uncertainty whether plants allocated prior to new level of industry but not yet delivered would be included in a possible stoppage of deliveries, make it desirable that Albanian representative not proceed to Frankfurt at this time”.
Vandenberg’s statement was made after consultation with officers of Dept in course of opposition to appropriation bill rider designed to prevent use of appropriated funds for MG reparation functions. Vandenberg defended continuance of deliveries to IARA countries on [Page 1143] ground that US committed by Paris Agreement on Reparation, thus by implication restricting non-delivery to USSR. Expected that whole question of future plant removals as reparation will receive detailed consideration at next session Congress and Dept’s highest levels considering matter at this time. In meantime Dept’s official position is that given in Dept’s press statement issued after Vandenberg speech, namely “The State Department confirmed that it was seeking adequate arrangements with the British regarding any further shipment of dismantled plants to the East. The Secretary of State had a preliminary talk on this subject with Mr. Bevin before leaving London”.