Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW (Peace)/6–1247

Memorandum by the Director of the Office of European Affairs (Matthews)1

[Washington,] June 12, 1947.

Subject: Recommendation to the President for a Statement on Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria

discussion

Execution by the President of the instruments of ratification of the Treaties of Peace with Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria2 will afford an opportunity to issue a statement in his name reiterating our views on the oppressive regimes now in power in these three countries, while at the same time indicating the reasons this Government has thought it desirable to conclude peace treaties with such governments. We believe the expression of US disapproval of the Communist-controlled governments of these countries in connection with the ratification of the peace treaties will strengthen those who are still struggling to resist subjugation.

recommendation

That the attached draft statement be transmitted to the President with the recommendation that it be issued by the White House on the occasion of the execution of the instrument for ratification of the Peace Treaties with Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria, but subsequent to and separate from the release of the statement on Italy. We feel that a differentiation should be made between the ratification of the Treaty [Page 550] with Italy and the treaties with the Balkan countries, and that this can best be indicated by separating the press releases.3

  1. Addressed through Under Secretary of State Acheson to the Secretary. A marginal notation reads: “Mr. Acheson concurs. C[arlisle] H[umelsine]”.↩
  2. Instruction No. 1953, June 18, not printed, forwarded the instruments of ratification of the treaties to the Embassy in Moscow and directed that they be retained until further instructions were received from the Department concerning their deposit with the Soviet Foreign Office (740.0011 EW (Peace)/6–1847).↩
  3. President Truman concurred in the recommendation. On June 14 he ratified the treaties and issued the statement. For text, see Department of State Bulletin, June 22, 1947, p. 1214.↩