840.811/8–348: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Yugoslavia
niact
447. Dudel 16. In view Vyshinsky technique which may bring conference to early conclusion Dept considers urgent US position be set forth unmistakably and that vital issues be brought to head. Main issue believed to be western power participation new regime. This will be test Soviet willingness negotiate acceptable instrument. This rather than details decisive issue.
US will not recognize jurisdiction over Austrian and German Danube without western representation. Western power participation accompanied by arrangement for resolution disputes by appropriate UN body essential.
You should state that Danube now dead waterway as result Soviet policies and you should expose Soviet monopolistic and imperialistic designs in Danubian States. US desire to establish unrestricted trade as being in best interests riparian states should be made crystal clear. Believe you should propose conference consideration US draft convention along with Soviet draft, releasing US draft to press simultaneously.
In view prominence Vyshinsky and in absence statement US position US press devoting attention almost exclusively to Soviet and satellite positions. Absence so far US rebuttal Vyshinsky attack on West giving impression Soviet bloc has some moral basis for effort to eliminate Western nations from Danube affairs. Concern felt here that public receives impression Soviet accepting freedom of navigation while in fact Danube becomes Soviet river. Appearance that Western powers easily eliminated from Danube affairs may effect other east-west negotiations. US Delegation should capitalize on eastern rift by emphasizing Soviet monopoly Danube states.