Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

500.CC/7–1544

The Department of State to the Soviet Embassy

Aide-Mémoire

The Government of the United States has taken note of the aide-mémoire of July 20, 1944 from the Embassy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics relative to the forthcoming informal discussions on the establishment of a world security organization.

In regard to the suggestion contained in the Embassy’s aide-mémoire that the Soviet Government would prefer the discussions to start approximately on August 10, 1944, the United States Government, subject to obtaining the approval of the British Government, is agreeable to opening the discussions on that date.

With reference to the further suggestion of the Soviet Government that the discussions be carried on in two separate cycles, the United States Government is agreeable, subject to the approval of the British Government, and also agrees that the discussions with the Chinese shall take place, the British and Chinese Governments concurring, as soon as possible following the discussions between the American, Soviet and British representatives.⁴⁴

The Government of the United States regards these discussions as being of the greatest importance and, on its part, is prepared at this time to carry on full preliminary discussions on the basis of any or all parts of the tentative draft proposals dated July 18, 1944 which were submitted by us to the Governments of the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.

It would be appreciated if the Soviet Government would make available to the Government of the United States as soon as practicable the full list of the Soviet representatives at these discussions.

Washington , July 22, 1944.

44. Telegram 1773, July 26, 2 p.m., instructed the Ambassador in the Soviet Union to inform the Soviet Government that the British had acceded to the delay of talks with the Chinese until after the first cycle and also agreed to accept the latest proposed opening date of August 10 (500.CC/7–2644). Later, however, the British indicated that they would find it inconvenient to have their representatives reach Washington by that date; consequently, the United States informed the Ambassadors in the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union of plans to start the conversations on August 14 (500.CC/7–2844; 7–2244); the concurrence of the Soviet Government wag indicated in telegram 2804, July 29, 6 p.m., from Moscow (500.CC/7–2944).