396.1–GE/4–554: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bohlen) to the Department of State
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1196. Repeated information niact London 183, niact Paris 243. At 2 p.m., today Kuznetsov handed me following aide-mémoire in reply to that of three Western powers of March 29.1 Immediately following telegram, will give additional observations made by Kuznetsov on delivery.
“In connection with aide-mémoire of Governments of United States of America, France and England of March 29 on question of preparations for convocation Geneva conference, Soviet Government, with agreement of Government Chinese People’s Republic, considers it necessary to communicate following observations:
“In aide-mémoire of Governments United States of America, France and England there is raised question responsibility and status of participants in conference which is being convoked at Geneva. In connection with this, it is considered necessary to call attention of above-mentioned governments to fact that decision taken by Ministers Foreign Affairs of four powers at Berlin regarding convocation Geneva conference provides that this conference shall be conference of representatives United States of America, France, England, Chinese People’s Republic and USSR, which shall take part in discussion Korean question and question of re-establishment peace in Indochina which are on conference agenda, with participation other interested states for appropriate questions. From this it is clear that representatives of all five indicated powers shall take part on equal basis in examination all questions relating to conference.
“In connection with this, on basis agreement reached at Berlin conference it is expedient to establish that English, French, Chinese and [Page 71] Russian should be official languages during course of whole Geneva conference. At same time it seems natural to establish system whereby Korean language, together with English, French, Chinese and Russian languages, should be considered one of official languages during consideration Korean question.
“There is noted statement of agreement of Governments France, United States of America and England with proposals contained in Soviet Government’s aide-mémoire of March 172 regarding system of written and oral translations at conference.
“Agreement is expressed with proposal of three governments that official languages should be used in daily sequence for consecutive oral translation. As concerns oral translations into official languages, it is understood that for this purpose there shall be obtained appropriate qualified interpreters by agreement among conference’s participants.
“Proposal of three governments that expenditures for common services should be divided equally among all conference participants is acceptable.
“There is noted statement of three governments agreement that representative his government should reach understanding with UN Secretariat regarding conditions of using for Geneva conference, Palais des Nations Building with its system of simultaneous translation.”