555. Telegram 1942 from USUN, November 251
Department pass White House. Eyes Only for the Secretary. Ourtel 1941.
Kuznetsov phoned McCloy this morning to ask several questions concerning proposed U.S. declaration.
First, he asked McCloy to identify reference in second para U.S. draft to Actg. SYG’s letter of October 28, and inquired reason for this reference. Second, he wished to have identified “Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance” referred to in final paragraph. McCloy told him this was Rio Treaty. Finally he asked McCloy to repeat description of alternative procedure we had suggested, that is Presidential statement in lieu of SC declaration. McCloy did so, adding that this statement might subsequently be reported to SC which could simply take note of it.
Kuznetsov also made further reference to Castro’s five conditions but McCloy once again had impression this was largely for the record. [Typeset Page 1491] Kuznetsov added, incidentally that he had slept badly last night and liked U.S. draft even less this morning than he had last evening.
Kuznetsov mentioned that Mikoyan arriving about 2 pm tomorrow and asked whether McCloy wished to meet with him. McCloy said he had no reason to ask for meeting but if Mikoyan wished to see him he would of course be available, adding, however, [Facsimile Page 2] that he would be in Washington Tuesday afternoon. Kuznetsov said Mikoyan would be extremely busy Monday but that perhaps he might wish to meet with McCloy Tuesday morning.
- Kuznetsov-McCloy telephone conversation re Soviet questions about proposed U.S. declaration. Top Secret. 2 pp. DOS, CF, 737.56361/11–2562.↩