859B.20/4–2347: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Denmark
230. For your TopSec info only, urtel 253 Apr 23.1 In informal conversations here Dan Amb Kauffmann has given us impression (whether with authorization of Rasmussen or not we do not know) that (a) Rasmussen is fully aware that while reactions US Govt to his memo of Dec 52 are embodied in Mr. Byrnes’ conversation and memo of Dec 14,3 these do not constitute formal US proposals; and (b) Rasmussen’s press statements are not to be considered as Dan reply to Mr. Byrnes’ suggestions but as a means of satisfying those segments of Dan public opinion which desire or claim to desire withdrawal of US from Green, while at same time protecting Dan bargaining position if and when formal negotiations eventuate.
Kauffmann has remarked that it is necessary for Rasmussen to give impression to Dan public opinion that discussions are under way although he fully realizes that such is not in fact the case.
- Not printed; in it Ambassador Marvel reported that since January 1947, Foreign Minister Rasmussen had made several press statements indicating that negotiations with the United States regarding the termination of the 1941 Greenland Defense Agreement were still going on and that Denmark considered the time ripe for such negotiations (859B.20/4–2347).↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩
- Regarding the conversation and memorandum under reference, see footnote 3, p. 657.↩