811.24559B/6–2647: Telegram
The Ambassador in Denmark (Marvel) to the Secretary of State
425. After first hectic day here Kauffmann dined with me alone. He feels approach to Greenland problem must be made slowly, pointing out Communist resolution is out of the way, Parliament is in recess and General Assembly of UN meets in early fall. Consequently discussions on Greenland could appropriately come up thereafter. He suggested that I come to Washington in late fall and believed conversations with the Secretary or Under Secretary Lovett would result in a solution. He emphasized that there was no possibility of a sale. After [Page 673] he has conferred with Danish officials he will give me more definite views as to Danish course of action.
Above recommendation for schedule of Greenland talks which undoubtedly will be followed by Danish Government makes it difficult to tie in refugees with Greenland problem as suggested my Top Secret telegram 405 June 19. However in view of Danish approach described mytel 422 June 251 it appears advisable to consider receiving immediately additional refugees into US Zone in order to capitalize on fact Russian removal of additional refugees (if such takes place) will be result of US initiative. Consequently urge US agree to accepting 12,000 additional refugees and that Berlin be so advised by direct order from Washington. Most important, if this is done, that it be ordered prior to any Russian commitments (which means immediate action) so that situation will not develop as it did in March when timing of American action largely diluted potential political capital.
Kauffmann departs July 15 and after tour of European capitals and Iceland will arrive back in US August 5.
- Not printed; it reported that the Danish Government hoped to obtain commitments from the American, British, and French Governments to accept additional refugees into their zones of occupation in Germany prior to requesting the Soviet Government to fulfill its 1946 promise to accept into its zone half of the German refugees remaining in Denmark (840.48 Refugees/6–2547).↩