861.24/2–1748

The Ambassador of the Soviet Union (Panyushkin) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Thorp)

No. 27

Translation

Sir: In reply to your note of February 12, 1948,1 in which the desire of the Government of the USA is expressed that the tankers Emba, Belgorod, Apsheron, Maikop and Taganrog, and also the dry-cargo vessel Lev Tolstoi be delivered to the American authorities, not in South Korean ports, but at the port of Yokohama, Japan, I have the honor to inform you that the Soviet Government agrees to deliver the above-mentioned vessels at the port of Yokohama within the period mentioned in my letter to you of January 31, 1948.2

Accept [etc.]

A. Panyushkin
  1. Not printed.
  2. By a letter dated February 26, 1948, the Department authorized Vice Admiral Smith as Chairman of the Maritime Commission to accept delivery of these vessels, and to declare the five tankers as surplus under the Surplus Property Act of 1944, as amended. In the national interests of the United States, however, any sale of these tankers under that Act must be only to citizens, or to corporations or firms owned by citizens, of the United States. (861.24/2–648)