Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

740.0011 EW (Peace)/4–2949: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, April 29, 1949—noon.

1651. Rumbold,¹ to whom we communicated contents Deptel 1421, April 27² on its receipt, has informed us that Foreign Office agrees in general with Department’s proposed procedure regarding satellite treaty implementation, but feels that there should be further notes to Bulgarian, Hungarian, Rumanian Governments³ stating that dispute exists within meaning Articles 36, 40, 38 respective treaties, informing three governments that matter is being referred to three heads Mission accordance those articles, and enclosing copies notes to Soviet representatives three capitals contemplated Deptel 1421. Rumbold said Foreign Office will give Embassy in next day or so draft text notes to three Balkan Governments for transmission to Department for its consideration, and Foreign Office hopes to receive Department’s draft text notes to Soviet representatives three capitals.⁴

Douglas

1. Sir Horace Rumbold, Head of the Southern Department, British Foreign Office.
2. Supra.
3. Telegram 1516, May 4, to London, not printed, replied that the Department of State agreed that there should be further notes to the Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Romanian Governments stating that their replies to the earlier notes were unsatisfactory, that a treaty dispute existed, and that the matter was being referred to the heads of mission in accordance with the appropriate articles of the peace treaties (740.0011 EW (Peace)/4–2949).
4. The draft British note under reference here was subsequently transmitted in telegram 1803, May 9, from London, not printed (740.00119 EW (Peace)/5–949). The draft American note to the Soviet heads of mission in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania was sent in telegram 1516 to London (see previous footnote).