Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

711.64/5–348: Telegram

The Minister in Hungary (Chapin) to the Secretary of State

secret

Budapest, May 3, 1948—9 p. m.

732. I today called on Foreign Minister accompanied by Deak¹ us interpreter and made oral representations along lines my 719, April 30,² which I believe made some impression. Foreign Minister attempted to draw me into detailed discussion of points, but I declined on basis that it was a statement of general principles which I wished to make and emphasized several times my belief that relations appeared to have deteriorated as result Hungarian lack cooperation on all issues to point where little purpose served in trying to work out individual problems in isolation but rather where global approach was required. This finally percolated and Foreign Minister reiterated assurances good faith, et cetera, to which I replied that while I accepted them at face value, we felt we wished to see evidence thereof in concrete form.

Towards end of interview, Molnar who had listened subdued took high moral stand and “rejected” assertion that “manner and timing” of breaking off air negotiations raised question, of “seriousness and responsibility of Hungarian Govt”.³

Molnar finally queried at end whether I implied matters had gone so far that solution individual problems impossible. I replied that I had not said that, but rather that I felt a serious effort should be made to solve all outstanding problems supported by cooperative spirit, that if Hungary really interested in resumption restitution shipments, my goverment might be moved by tangible evidence such spirit.

When he asked for my suggestions as to what forms such approach should take, I replied next move up to Hungarian Government but that if there were any proposals he wished make me next week after my return, I would gladly examine them and that I was prepared either in person or through one of my staff to hold meetings with Foreign Office with view to settling some of our outstanding problems.⁴

Throughout conversation it was made abundantly clear that Hungarian Government greatly concerned over suspension restitution shipments and searching desperately for some means of exit. I made it repeatedly clear that Hungarian Government must just change its attitude and tactics before it could expect reconsideration by US Government.

Although I frankly do not expect much in the way of satisfaction, I believe Molnar was impressed by seriousness and firmness our position and that not unfriendly attitude assumed contributed to this impression.

Chapin

1. Francis Deak, Civil Air Attaché at Budapest, Bern, Belgrade, Bucharest, Praha, Sofia, and Vienna.
2. In January 1948, American military personnel and Hungarian repatriates were exposed to mistreatment at the hands of Hungarian authorities in an incident aboard a Hungarian repatriation train passing through the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany. Following a dilatory, unsatisfactory, and insulting Hungarian reply to the American protest on the incident, the Hungarian repatriation mission was expelled from the United States zone of occupation in Germany and restitution operations to Hungary were suspended. In the telegram under reference here, Minister Chapin stated his intention to inform the Hungarian Foreign Minister that the United States Government was not disposed to resume restitution shipments until it had received evidence of Hungarian good faith and desire to collaborate in the settlement of many other outstanding problems such as nationalization, the use of a Legation aircraft in Budapest, war damage, agrarian and other claims, and the sudden breaking-off of civil air agreement negotiations (711.6427/4–3048).
3. For additional documentation on United States civil air policy toward the satellite states, see pp. 436 ff.
4. Officers of the Legation in Budapest met with the Chief of the Political Section of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry on May 11 to discuss outstanding issues between the United States and Hungarian Governments. Through August 1948 twelve additional meetings were held, but little progress was made aside from the statement of claims and counterclaims.