Office of the Historian

840.70/10–1644: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)

Washington, October 17, 1944—7 p.m.

2452. The Department understands that the Embassy in London has repeated to you its telegrams to the Department 8753 of October 14 and 8791 of October 16 concerning the position Soviets have taken at conference on EITO draft agreement.

For your background information, there are quoted pertinent portions of a previous exchange of cables between the Department and Embassy in London:

[Here follow the texts of telegram 8534, October 9, 10 p.m., from London, and telegram 8386, October 11, 10 p.m., to London, printed on pages 819 and 821 respectively.]

Please concert with your British colleague and approach Soviets immediately as suggested in last paragraph of London’s 8793 [8791] [Page 828] of October 16, in order that Soviet agreement might be secured on points of difference. In your discretion you may use positions taken by U.S. Delegation and the Department in the aforementioned telegrams to support your approach.

You should point out to the Soviet Government that the U.S. Government feels that in order to achieve the effective coordination of European transport in accordance with the principles of the EITO agreement, it is desirable to have the nations undertake to carry out by mutual agreement the recommendations of the central body. Any amendments to Articles VII or VIII should retain commitments on the part of the members of the Organization substantially as set forth in the draft agreement. Department hopes that you will be able to explain our position to the Soviet Government with a view to having them instruct their Delegation at least to withdraw their reservations to Article VIII.

With respect to the Soviet amendment to Article XII, the Department fears that such a restriction could be used to nullify the EITO agreement. If necessary, Department might consider Soviet amendment if it provided that any such bilateral agreements should be consistent with the objectives of the EITO agreement. This could be assured if they were submitted to the EITO executive board. The Department recognizes the right of participating governments to make bilateral transportation agreements but feels such agreements should be consistent with EITO agreement and with coordinating machinery and procedures established thereunder.

Sent to Moscow, repeated to London.54

Hull
  1. As telegram No. 8592.↩