611.60C62A/11–651
Memorandum of Conversation, by Valdemar N. L. Johnson of the Office of Eastern European Affairs
Subject: Desire to establish Latvian “mission at Bonn and Paris”.
| Participants: | Mr. Jules Feldmans—Chargé d’Affaires of Latvia. |
| EE—Mr. Johnson | |
| EE—Mr. Allan |
Mr. Feldmans called at the Department’s request. Mr. Johnson explained that the Department’s representatives had recently discussed with his Lithuanian and Estonian colleagues1 their desires to establish “missions” at Paris and Bonn and that the Department desired as well to discuss with him such plans as the Latvians might have for establishing similar representation. It was pointed [Page 1303] out that the Department was interested in this matter principally because whatever representation might be established would probably draw its financial support from Latvian funds blocked in the United States which are released with the approval of the Department. It was added that the Department had a further interest because of the responsibilities devolving upon the United States as one of the occupying powers in Germany.
Mr. Feldmans replied that he recognized the Department’s interest and that he would be happy to inform us of Latvian plans in this connection.
He then referred to previous conversations between himself and EE—Mr. Vedeler on this subject. He stated that, during this conversation, he had shown Mr. Vedeler a copy of the attached aide-mémoire setting forth the basic views of the Latvian Legation on this question.2 He said that he had now re-dated the aide-mémoire to bear today’s date and that he wished to leave it at the Department “informally”.
He went on to say that the Latvian Minister in London, Mr. Zarine, had discussed this problem with the Chargé d’Affaires of the German Federal Republic in London and that the latter had recently been handed a formal communication requesting the views of the German Federal Republic on the question of accepting Latvian representatives at Bonn. According to Mr. Feldmans, the German Chargé d’Affaires had promised to transmit this communication to his Government with a request for a speedy reply.
Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Feldmans whether, in his opinion, the extraordinary powers granted to Minister Zarine by the last Government of Latvia were broad enough to provide authority for establishing a mission at Bonn and, if so, whether it was anticipated that any substantial part of the Latvian emigration might question or oppose Zarine’s authority to establish the mission, appoint its officers, etc.
Minister Feldmans replied that, in the Latvian view, the extraordinary powers did cover this matter and that no trouble was anticipated from any important part of the Latvian emigration. He did observe that if any trouble at all did result, it would come from Mr. Bruno Kalmins, prominent Latvian refugee now residing in Sweden, but that such opposition as might be offered by Kalmins would be relatively unimportant because he had little or no support in the Latvian emigration.
In response to a question by Mr. Johnson as to how the German Federal Republic might regard Zarine’s extraordinary powers, Mr. Feldmans stated that no formal opinion had as yet been expressed [Page 1304] by the Bonn authorities but that the attitude of those officials appeared to be favorable.
In response to a query as to the exact type of representation envisaged for Bonn, Mr. Feldmans stated that the Latvians, of course, would like to establish a full fledged diplomatic mission but that this was a matter for determination by the German Federal Republic. Mr. Feldmans stated that the Latvians would be satisfied with “any kind of representation” and he intimated that the Germans would be most likely to suggest the appointment of some sort of consular representative.
Mr. Johnson informed Mr. Feldmans that the Department would appreciate being kept in close touch with the developments in this situation and he suggested that it would be desirable for the Latvian Legation to consult with the Department before making any final arrangements in this matter. Mr. Feldmans agreed that the suggested course of action was advisable and he stated that he appreciated the Department’s interest in this matter. He emphasized that the Latvians would appreciate any influence which the US might bring to bear on the German Federal Republic with a view to securing favorable action on the Latvian request.
Mr. Johnson then asked Mr. Feldmans whether it was also desired to set up a mission at Paris. Mr. Feldmans replied that this was under consideration but he indicated that the plans had not proceeded as far as in the case of Bonn.3
- Regarding the discussions under reference with Estonian Acting Consul General Kaiv, see Johnson’s memorandum of conversation, supra. During a call on officers of the Department of State on October 22, Lithuanian Minister Zadeikis stated that he had received an “indication” that the German Federal Republic would be prepared to accept a Lithuanian representative at Bonn “in the not too distant future”. (Memorandum of conversation by Johnson (EUR/EE), October 22, 601.61D11/10–2251).↩
- Not printed.↩
- In July and again in September 1951, Johnson discussed with officers of the Australian Embassy Chargé Feldman’s proposal for the establishment of a Latvian representative in Australia. The Australian Government perceived no objection to permitting a Latvian representative to function in Australia provided that such a representative would hold the nondiplomatic title of “secretary” to the Latvian Honorary Consul in Canberra. (Memoranda of conversation by Johnson, July 25 and September 6, 643.60C/7–2651 and 602.60C43/9–651)↩